Do we wait until there’s another crisis?

To the Editor,

The Illinois Supreme Court recently struck down the state’s medical malpractice reform law, ruling that the caps on non-economic damages violated the separation of powers clause in the Illinois Constitution.

Voting to strike down the law were justices Thomas L. Kilbride, Charles E. Freeman, Thomas R. Fitzgerald and Anne M. Burke.

While the full impact of the high court’s decision remains to be seen, one company, Milliman Inc., a Seattle-based consulting and actuarial firm, is projecting medical malpractice insurers to see an 18 percent jump in costs. The firm also suggests there will be an increase in the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed and an increase in the cost of these lawsuits.

It is doubtful these increased costs will translate into higher medical malpractice insurance rates in the short term, but certainly over time, the combination of more litigation and higher payouts will have an effect on premiums.

The higher the medical malpractice premiums go, the more difficult it will be for Illinois communities to keep existing physicians and to attract replacement doctors. In short, the higher the premiums go, the closer we get to another medical malpractice crisis in Illinois.

Do we really want to wait until there is another crisis before we get involved in this issue again?

As citizens we do have a say in the judicial process. In November, several of the Supreme Court justices, including Justice Kilbride, could be on the ballot seeking retention. It is our right and responsibility as citizens to cast informed votes in judicial elections. As concerned citizens, we owe it to ourselves to exercise the afforded to us in the Illinois Constitution.

Travis Akin, executive director of the Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch

Marion