Reis: Med Mal Signing an Important First Step

August 25, 2005

Olney…“Finally years of hard work has led to a victory for Illinois patients,” Rep. David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) said today upon news of the signing of new medical malpractice reform legislation. House Republicans have worked for several years to make sure that families in Illinois have access to quality healthcare.

The new law encompasses several of the reforms that lawmakers have been calling for from the beginning of this process. Discussing the long process leading to the bill’s signing, Rep. Reis said, “Today our persistence has paid off. This new law is the first meaningful reform of the medical malpractice system in 20 years.”

Highlights of the agreement include:

The creation of the Patients’ Right to Know Law, a physicians profile website that includes information on doctors for the previous five years, including any malpractice awards.

Litigation reform and enhanced physician discipline for negligent doctors and increased oversight of the insurance industry.

Plaintiffs in malpractice cases must provide the court a report completed by a physician before filing the case, which would be used to determine whether the plaintiff’s claim has merit.

The cornerstone of the new law is a reasonable cap on non-economic damages of $500,000 for doctors and $1 million for hospitals. Despite some concern over the constitutionality of this new agreement, Representative Reis is hopeful the new reforms will withstand any challenges brought before the State’s highest Court.