Illinois, Pennsylvania join in calls for federal tort reform

Physicians rally in Chicago's Daley Plaza and Pennsylvania's Statehouse in Harrisburg.

By Tanya Albert, AMNews staff. May 26, 2003.

Chicago -- In the latest of a series of medical liability protests across the country, Illinois physicians on May 13 filled the plaza just outside the courthouse where medical malpractice lawsuits are filed, and chanted "lawsuit reform now."

Thousands of doctors, patients and other health professionals from throughout the state carried signs calling for "U.S. Senate action now," informing people that "Lawsuit abuse costs everyone money" and asking "Who will deliver your baby?" and "Will your doctor be there?"

"We feel strongly that patients need good care," said John Laude, MD, a nuclear medicine physician from Burr Ridge, Ill., who carried a neon pink sign with black lettering that read: "Trial bar: A good parasite does not kill the host."

"It's terrible," he said. "There is a lottery mentality."

Palos Hills, Ill., obstetrician-gynecologist Gail Miller, MD, said federal tort reform is needed because rising insurance rates could lead physicians who can't afford their premiums to head across the state line to Indiana, where there is tort reform.

Bills are so high "you are working for the insurance company," said Dr. Miller, who was recently notified her premium will jump to $112,500 this year, up from $80,000 last year.

Illinois is among the 18 states the AMA says are in the midst of a liability insurance crisis because doctors in those states are retiring early, discontinuing high-risk procedures or leaving to practice in states where insurance is more available and affordable.