News Releases and Statements 
Statement by Illinois Trial Lawyers Association on the Constitutional Challenge to PA 94-677
Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500
A case has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County seeking damages for a child who is the victim of gross medical negligence.
Statement by ISMS President Peter E. Eupierre, M.D., Re: Announced Challenge to Medical Litigation Reform Law
Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Illinois trial lawyers have struck again, and predictably so. Their desperate attempts to undermine Illinois’ new malpractice reforms are a move to preserve the status quo that ultimately benefits plaintiff attorneys. If this rollback succeeds, it will drive doctors from the state and medical care costs will skyrocket. In the end, patients’ access to medical care will suffer.
Illinois State Medical Society to State Senate Panel: No Exemptions for State-wide Smoking Ban
Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) President, Peter E. Eupierre, M.D., today urged an Illinois Senate committee to not adopt S.B. 2688, which would grant a temporary two-year exemption to bars and other establishments, such as taverns and restaurants, from a proposed statewide smoking ban. Due to the exemption, ISMS opposes the bill as currently written, and submitted a statement to that effect to the Senate Executive Committee Hearing on State Regulation of Indoor Smoking committee, which is today conducting public testimony.
Statement by ISMS President Peter E. Eupierre, M.D. Re: Opposition to SB 2688
Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT
The Illinois State Medical Society opposes SB 2688 as currently written due to its temporary two-year exemption of bars and similar establishments like taverns and restaurants.
Statement on Medicare Reimbursement Cuts U.S. Representative Donald Manzullo
Thu, 21 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Doctors are fed up with having to plead with Congress every year not to slash their reimbursement rates.
Statement on Medicare Reimbursement Cuts U.S. Senator Barack Obama
Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
I share your concern over Medicare physician payments, and I appreciate the opportunity to address this important issue in the Express.
Shortened Column for the Chicago Daily Southtown
Wed, 13 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Act Now! Your health care shouldn’t rely on the health of the economy
Doctors to Congress: Stop Medicare Cuts and Protect Patient Care
Mon, 11 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Illinois physicians are sending Congress an urgent message, to fix the Medicare payment system before year’s end or risk impeding access to medical care for our state’s senior citizens. The letter, signed by physician leaders of the Illinois State Medical Society, calls on each member of Illinois’ congressional delegation to take immediate action to reverse the 5.1 percent Medicare reimbursement cut for physicians, which is slated to occur at year’s end.
Dear Member of Congress:
Fri, 8 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
As you know, Medicare payments to physicians are set to be slashed by more than five percent at year’s end unless you and your colleagues in Congress provide the necessary leadership to prevent the cuts.
Statement by ISMS President Peter E. Eupierre, M.D. Re: Illinois Medicaid Reimbursements
Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT
State Medicaid officials’ announcement that the bills of doctors caring for Medicaid patients will be paid within 60 days is a much-needed step in the right direction. However, there is still work to be done. We believe this step should be the first in a series of urgently-needed reforms. Physicians have long shown their commitment to caring for Medicaid patients as well as the uninsured. State government must also demonstrate its commitment to funding the care it promises.
Statement by ISMS President Peter E. Eupierre, M.D. Re: Patient Safety Proposals
Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT
The Illinois State Medical Society has a long history of leadership in the movement to improve medical care and safety for Illinois patients. We have worked with a broad range of groups committed to the goals of achieving the best possible health care and reducing medical errors to keep our patients secure.
Dear Director Maram:
Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Thank you fro your letter dated May 25, 2006.
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois Applauds Governor for Leadership in Expanding Organ Donation
Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) today applauded Gov. Rod Blagojevich for signing HB 5259, which allows more families the option to give life-saving organ donations.
Dear Governor Blagojevich:
Wed, 17 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Over the last several months, the Illinois State Medical Society has become increasingly alarmed that access to medical care for our most medically vulnerable patients - those covered through Medicaid - is being compromised by the state's payment and budgetary processes.
Dear Governor Blagojevich:
Fri, 5 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
The 14,000 physician members of the Illinois State Medical Society strongly urge you to sign House Bill 5259 into law.
Statement of Peter E. Eupierre, M.D. ISMS President Cover the Uninsured Media Conference
Tue, 26 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500
I’m Dr. Peter Eupierre, a practicing internist from Melrose Park, and current president of the Illinois State Medical Society.
Rockford Physician Elected Chair of State Medical Society
Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT
William E. Kobler, M.D., Rockford, was elected chair of the ISMS Board of Trustees during the organization’s annual House of Delegates meeting in Oak Brook, IL.
Oak Brook Physician Inducted as President, Illinois State Medical Society
Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Peter E. Eupierre, M.D., Oak Brook, took office as president of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) during its recent annual meeting here. As the Society’s chief spokesman and representative, the president travels extensively to meet with members and other external audiences statewide.
Illinois Doctors Meet to Discuss Policy and Public Health Issues
Tue, 4 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Who: Physician delegates from across Illinois, responsible for setting policy for the Illinois State Medical Society.
What: Debate and take action on:
Public health issues: health care access, flu vaccine availability, and public safety;
Physician advocacy topics: Medicare reimbursement rates and continued medical litigation reform efforts;
Patient education on medical issues; and Election of ISMS officers for 2006-2007.
Statement by ISMS President Peter E. Eupierre, M.D. Re: Cover the Uninsured Week
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600
I’m Dr. Peter Eupierre, a practicing internist from Melrose Park, and current president of the Illinois State Medical Society. Day-in- and-day-out, I see patients whose health status has suffered because they simply lack medical insurance. They forego preventive care completely. They wait to see a doctor until they can’t afford not to. They’re sick …. sometimes very sick. And they pay the price of not being insured with their own health.
Testimony by ISMS President Craig A. Backs, M.D.
Wed, 15 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Good morning. My name is Dr. Craig Backs. I am the president of the Illinois State Medical Society and I maintain an active internal medicine practice right here in Springfield. I appreciate this opportunity to testify today before your committee. On behalf of our 14,000 physician members statewide, ISMS stands in strong opposition to SB 2561.
MAILED TO ALL ILLINOIS REPRESENTATIVES IN THE U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE
Wed, 8 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500
We, the members of the Illinois State Medical Society Board of Trustees, are writing on behalf of all Illinois doctors and the millions of patients in our care to thank you for halting the scheduled Medicare payment reduction of 4.4 percent.
Collins Introduces Bill Making Illinois Smoke-free
Tue, 7 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT
State Rep. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago) introduced legislation Tuesday making Illinois smoke-free by prohibiting smoking in all workplaces throughout the state, including bars and restaurants.
Statement by ISMS President Craig A. Backs, M.D. Re: HB 4338 Smoke-free Illinois
Tue, 7 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT
Good morning. I’m Doctor Craig Backs, president of the Illinois State Medical Society, and a practicing internist here in Springfield. On behalf of the 14,000 Illinois doctors we represent, I’d like to thank Representative Collins for inviting me here today to show our strong support for House Bill 4338 … and the efforts to make Illinois 100 percent smoke-free. In my role as ISMS president, I travel this state, talking about ways to improve the health of all Illinoisans. Passage of this legislation will contribute greatly to that goal.