FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2010 

Supreme Court’s Decision Threatens Access to Health Care in Illinois

(CHICAGO)— The Illinois Supreme Court’s recent decision to overrule the state’s medical malpractice law threatens to damage access to health care for Illinois patients as physicians prepare to see their liability premiums increase to amounts that make it difficult to continue practicing in the state.

In 2005, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation passed by state lawmakers that established caps on noneconomic damages of $500,000 in cases against doctors and $1 million against hospitals, which eventually stabilized liability premiums. Illinois joined several states, such as California, that have passed similar legislation that capped damages.

“The unfortunate reversal of this legislation could be detrimental to the access to adequate health care for the people of Illinois,” said Larry A. Wickless, DO, president of the Chicago-based American Osteopathic Association. “This is further proof of the need for medical liability reform to be part of the national debate on health care reform.”

This decision marks the third time that the state’s highest court has repealed limits on medical malpractice laws. Similar laws were overruled in 1976 and 1997, which caused liability premiums to increase by 10 to 12 percent each year.

“I worry that this latest blow to medical malpractice reform in Illinois will force many of my fellow physicians to relocate their practices to states which have medical malpractice caps and affordable liability premiums,” said Harald Lausen, DO, president of the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society.

About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 67,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs); promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical colleges; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.  

About the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society
The Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society (IOMS) is the professional association representing all osteopathic physicians and surgeons in the State of Illinois. IOMS advocates on behalf of DOs and their patients; provides high quality continuing medical education across the state; and offers professional networking opportunities to members. Founded in 1903 as the Illinois Osteopathic Association, the name was changed in 1952 to the Illinois Association of Physicians and Surgeons and was renamed IOMS in 1999. More information on IOMS can be found at www.IOMS.org.  

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Contact:

Nicole Grady
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8038 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8038 (Office)
(312) 593-6897 (Mobile)
ngrady@osteopathic.org