News Releases and Statements 
“A Personal Decision” ISMS Provides a Guide to Medical Care Decision-making
Fri, 30 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500
To aid patients in taking charge of their own end-of-life medical care decisions, the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) has updated and expanded its booklet entitled, A Personal Decision.
Illinois State Medical Society Lends Support to All Kids Proposal
Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0500
The Illinois State Medical Society today announced it is endorsing-in-concept Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s All Kids proposal to expand health insurance coverage to Illinois’ uninsured children who are ineligible for other state-offered health insurance programs.
At Long Last: Comprehensive Medical Litigation Reforms Become Law!
Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0500
In a major victory for Illinois citizens, Governor Rod Blagojevich today signed into law comprehensive reform legislation that will bring more balance and fairness to our state’s medical litigation system, and improve access to medical care services statewide. Illinois General Assembly lawmakers on both sides of the aisle worked together to pass Senate Bill 475 over the Memorial Day weekend, bringing to fruition a three-year legislative effort to repair Illinois’ broken litigation system.
Agreement reached: ISMS, ISMIE Mutual Announce Support of Medical Litigation Reform Bill
Wed, 25 May 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Illinois physicians and patients today won an enormous victory, with an agreement struck by state legislative leaders, ISMS and ISMIE Mutual to advance meaningful litigation reforms through the Illinois General Assembly. State lawmakers are expected to vote on SB 475 before week’s end. Support from key downstate Democrat legislators and the Republican caucus was instrumental in forging this accord.
Not a “Banner” Day for Medical Care in Illinois: Citing Grim Survey Findings, Medical Society Urges General Assembly to Stop Political Games and Act Immediately; Unveils New Banners to Highlight the Loss of Illinois MDs
Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 -0500
A new poll of Illinois medical doctors has identified escalating gaps in access to physician care throughout the state. The Illinois State Medical Society’s mail survey of all Illinois physicians was conducted during the first quarter of 2005 to measure the impact of the medical liability crisis on physician availability. Over 1,000 physicians of diverse medical specialties and locations responded to the survey.
ISMS and ISMIE Mutual to Support HB 4074; Will Strive to Make Key Improvements
Wed, 11 May 2005 00:00:00 -0500
The Illinois State Medical Society and ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company today declared their joint support for HB 4074 as a means of addressing the medical litigation crisis in Illinois. The decision was announced today during the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the measure.
Statement by Craig A. Backs, M.D., President, Illinois State Medical Society Re: Introduction of H. B. 4074/Senate Amendment 3 to S.B. 276
Thu, 5 May 2005 00:00:00 -0500
The Illinois State Medical Society is pleased to see state legislative leaders and lawmakers in both the Illinois House and Senate take a positive step forward in posing solutions to our state’s medical litigation crisis.
Doctors’ Support Firm for Caps; New ISMS Leaders Elected
Thu, 21 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Wearing green Keep Doctors in Illinois wristbands, Illinois physicians converged on the state capital last week for the annual House of Delegates meeting of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS). At the two day policy-making session, ISMS physician leaders reaffirmed their strong support for caps on non-economic damage awards as the only long-term proven solution to our state’s medical litigation crisis. They debated and voted on an array of health policy issues ranging from cosmetic surgery taxation and tobacco use, to childhood obesity and direct-to-consumer advertising. New ISMS officers were also elected, including the Society’s 2005-2006 president and chair of the Board of Trustees.
SKOKIE PHYSICIAN NAMED CHAIR, ILLINOIS STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
Thu, 21 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Richard A. Geline, M.D., was re-elected chair of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) at its recent annual meeting held in Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD PHYSICIAN TAKES OFFICE AS PRESIDENT, ILLINOIS STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
Thu, 21 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Craig A. Backs, M.D., a board-certified internist, took office as president of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) at its recent annual meeting. Dr. Backs practices in Springfield.
Illinois Medical Organizations Stand United on Urgent Need for Medical Litigation Reform; Urge State Lawmakers to Act Now
Thu, 7 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Fifty-one physician organizations representing the overwhelming majority of Illinois’ medical community, today pledged their support for meaningful medical litigation reform, and expressed alarm at the Illinois General Assembly’s tenor of debate and lack of action to date on the issue. Signed by a diverse cross section of Illinois medical associations and physician groups, the joint letter delivered today to the Illinois General Assembly calls for passage of caps on non-economic damage awards and the other remedies detailed in SB 150 and HB 705, now before state lawmakers for consideration. The full text and a list of signing organizations are attached.
"A Personal Decision" ISMS Booklet Helps Guide Patients' Medical Care Decision-Making
Thu, 31 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Today’s passing of Terri Schiavo, a 41-year-old patient at the heart of national legal, political and ethical debate, has again cast attention on the importance of medical care advance directives. To aid patients in taking charge of their own end-of-life medical care decisions, the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) is making available a booklet entitled A Personal Decision.
Statement by Kenneth J. Printen, M.D., President, Illinois State Medical Society Re: SB 150
Thu, 17 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0500
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.
Physicians Leaders Make the Case for Medical Litigation Reform; Outline Scope of Crisis, Impact on Patient Access to Care.
Wed, 23 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Today at the Illinois State Capitol, Illinois State Medical Society President, Kenneth J. Printen, M.D., and ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company Chairman, Harold L. Jensen, M.D., detailed to the Illinois House Judiciary Committee the well-documented case for medical litigation reform, painting a dismal future picture for Illinois patients and physicians if state lawmakers fail to enact an effective remedy to the broken medical litigation system here.
Testimony to the Illinois House Judiciary Committee Kenneth J. Printen, M.D. President, Illinois State Medical Society
Wed, 23 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Good morning and thank you for allowing me to speak with you today about the worsening medical litigation crisis and its impact on access to medical care for Illinois citizens.
Statement by Kenneth J. Printen, M.D., President, Illinois State Medical Society Re: State of the State Address
Thu, 3 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500
We are encouraged by Governor Blagojevich’s call for meaningful medical liability reform. We hope he will take a leadership role in forging an effective bill to repair our broken legal system and keep doctors in Illinois.
Bipartisan Medical Litigation Reform Bill will “Keep Doctors in Illinois”
Tue, 1 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Physicians, hospitals, liability insurers and patients rallied around solutions to Illinois’ access to medical care crisis today, calling for passage of a bipartisan bill to repair our state’s broken litigation system and “Keep Doctors in Illinois,” the phrase reinforced on wristbands worn by participants at today’s news conferences.
Trial Attorney Malpractice Insurer Insolvent
Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Chicago – Another liability insurer is leaving the Illinois market, but this one won’t affect access to medical care. In a twist to the ongoing professional litigation crisis, the Association of Trial Lawyers Assurance (ATLA Mutual), has admitted financial failure and has irrevocably consented to liquidation of its assets with a finding of insolvency.
Statement by Kenneth J. Printen, M.D., President, Illinois State Medical Society Re: President George W. Bush’s visit to Madison County, Illinois
Wed, 5 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500
Collinsville, Illinois -- Illinois doctors are inspired by President Bush’s strong commitment to reform our nation’s legal system and to improve access to health care for our patients.