At press time, despite ISMS' determined efforts, the Medical
Disciplinary Fund crisis slogs on. The bill most recently under consideration by
the Illinois House of Representatives does not return the previously swept $8
million to the Medical Disciplinary Fund and holds docs accountable for paying
back the swept fund through hefty medical licensure fee increases.
Now, investigative reporting has revealed the practice of fund
sweeping to a degree that one Illinois lawmaker calls a "moral failure on
the part of the state."
Highlighted in the report is the debacle surrounding efforts by the state to
refuel the Medical Disciplinary Fund on the backs of physicians, along with ISMS' response to the
state's ill-conceived legislative efforts to do so.
The exposé also notes that from check-off donations to health charities, to
gas taxes and veteran's support - all have been looted by the state to cover
other expenses. So while physicians are being targeted, they aren't the only
group among the vulnerable. All taxpayers must hold state government accountable
for maintaining fiscal responsibility.
See the Legislative Action Hub for updates on the Medical Disciplinary Fund shortfall.
We're all in this together.