GOVERNMENTIllinois tort reform caps damagesGrassroots efforts by doctors helped win over public opinion, the state medical society says.By Mike Norbut, amednews staff. June 13, 2005. After years of working for tort reform, Illinois physicians stand poised to receive some relief, as lawmakers approved legislation that would set a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability lawsuits. The cap, which will not increase with inflation, is the centerpiece of the bill, which Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to sign. The legislation also calls for higher standards for expert witness testimony and a stronger certificate-of-merit clause. In addition, the bill would set a $1 million cap on noneconomic damages for hospitals. While it's not the $250,000 cap consistently sought by the AMA and states fighting for tort reform, the measure is a "significant step in the right direction," said Craig A. Backs, MD, president of the Illinois State Medical Society. "It's safe to say we would not have written the package as it is coming out, but the legislative process is one of compromise," Dr. Backs said. "I would encourage physicians in Illinois to take a serious look at this as a total package. We feel very good about this." "The momentum came from the perception and the reality that physicians in Illinois saw no hope," Dr. Backs said. "They were leaving the state when they had the opportunity because of medical liability." [...]Full text of American Medical News content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.
Copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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