Government
Reforms pass one hurdle in Illinois
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 28, 2004
The Illinois Senate passed a bill that would prevent doctors' personal assets from being seized to pay medical malpractice judgments as long as physicians carry minimum $1 million/$3 million insurance policies.
The legislation also would strengthen the requirements for affidavits of merit, which are necessary to file medical malpractice lawsuits; toughen expert witness rules; inform juries about the tax consequences of awards; and give good-faith immunity to physicians who provide free home visits or care in free clinics.
At press time, the bill had moved to the House for consideration.
The Illinois State Medical Society backs the reform package as a way to help address the high insurance premiums facing Illinois physicians. Illinois is one of 20 states that the American Medical Association says is in the middle of a medical liability insurance crisis.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/06/28/gvbf0628.htm.