Business Briefs

BUSINESS BRIEFS

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association filed an amicus brief today asking the Illinois Supreme Court to preserve Illinois patients' future access to medical care by upholding the state's 2005 medical lawsuit reform law, and thereby overturning the Cook County Circuit Court's November 2007 decision declaring it unconstitutional.

Among a host of reform provisions aimed at preserving patient access to medical care, the law in question capped non-economic damage awards at $500,000 for physicians and $1 million for hospitals. Non-economic damages are largely unpredictable and unquantifiable sums awarded by juries for emotional issues such as pain and suffering. Under the reform law, victims of true medical negligence could still receive unlimited economic damages such as lost wages, medical expenses, and future earning potential.

"Medical liability reforms that include caps on non-economic damages work," said AMA Board Chairman Dr. Edward L. Langston. "A comparison of states shows that those with caps on non-economic damages have an increased supply of physicians and high-risk specialists, resulting in more physicians to care for patients. In addition, physicians pay at least 17 percent less in liability premiums in states with caps on non-economic damages, which helps physicians continue to practice medicine as liability premiums remain at historically high levels."

While Illinois' high court has not set an official date for issuing its ruling on the constitutionality of medical lawsuit reforms, it is expected that more briefs will be filed by both plaintiffs and defendants throughout the summer months, with oral arguments occurring soon thereafter. Other pro-reform law briefs were also filed today by former U.S. Solicitor General and renowned legal scholar Theodore Olson on behalf of the defendants, and others on behalf of the Illinois Hospital Association, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, and their hospital members involved in the underlying medical negligence litigation.

TINLEY PARK -- A presentation on the CN Acquisition of the EJ&E Railway will be presented by Jim Kvedaras, CN senior manager of U.S. Public & Government Affairs and Jim Giblin, senior associate, Railroad Industries, Inc. at the Chicago Southland Chamber's monthly Regional Consensus Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel & Convention Center, 18501 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.

The Regional Consensus admission price is $25 per person or $240 per table for chamber members and $35 per person or $340 per table for nonmembers. Please RSVP in advance to ensure a seat. Reservations must be canceled 48 hours in advance to receive a refund. Call (708) 957-6950, Ext. 118.

Business Calendar

Romeoville Chamber: Member Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. May 13, P.B. Mulligan's, Prairie Bluff Golf Club, 19433 Renwick Road, Crest Hill. Sponsor: Country Inn & Suites. Guest Speaker: Trisha Svehla. Topic: "You Just Don't Understand," bridging the gap in men's and women's communication styles. $20 for members with RSVP by May 9 to (815) 886-207 or info@romeoville chamber.org. $25 for guests and members without reservations.