Statement by
Kenneth J. Printen, M.D.
President, Illinois State Medical Society
Re: SB 150
March 17, 2005
ISMS is extremely disappointed that S.B. 150 was not called for a vote in the Judiciary Committee, but instead referred to the Senate Executive Committee. It seems that the Senate leadership was not pleased that this bill was poised to leave committee and head to the Senate floor for the full and open debate this issue deserves.
The time to vote on litigation reform is now! Twice we were promised a vote and twice we were denied in favor of partisan games. Legal reform is of great concern to the citizens of Illinois and we must take action to repair the broken litigation system before access to medical care further erodes in this state.
As physicians, we are trained to use proven remedies to treat illness. Caps on non-economic damages have proven to cure the ailing legal environment in many other states. We will continue to push for passage of the most effective remedy to our state’s legal crisis so we can keep doctors in Illinois and access to medical care available to our patients.
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