1. Theodore B. Olson Speaks at ISMIE Sponsored Luncheon  
2. The Dividend is Coming!   
3. Medical Liability & Illinois’ Civil Justice System “A sReview of the Options” 

Theodore B. Olson Speaks at ISMIE Sponsored Luncheon 

Theodore B. Olson was the guest speaker at an ISMIE Mutual sponsored luncheon held during the 2008 House of Delegates of the Illinois State Medical Society. Olson, the former U.S. Solicitor General and renowned constitutional scholar, is the lead counsel for the ISMIE and ISMS legal team defending the constitutionality of medical litigation reforms in Illinois. Olson spoke about the next steps in the constitutional challenge, which now is before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Olson assured the physicians present that the strongest case is being assembled for presentation to the Illinois Supreme Court. Keeping Doctors in Illinois will be the central message presented to the courts as the bipartisan rationale for passage of reform. 

ISMIE-news will continue to provide updates on the constitutional challenge. To obtain additional information and updates, visit www.realitymedicine.com.

The Dividend is Coming! 

The ISMIE Mutual Board of Directors announced that more than $11.5 million would be issued in dividends to eligible policyholders who have been continuously insured with ISMIE since the 2005-2006 policy year.

“We are thrilled to be able to give this money back to our loyal policyholders; it’s emblematic of our physician advocacy mission,” said Chairman Harold L. Jensen, MD, in a news release following the meeting. Dr. Jensen credits the medical liability reform law for ISMIE’s improved financial picture.   Renewal notices for the 2008-2009 policy year beginning July 1, 2008, will include the dividend as a credit on eligible policyholders’ annual premium. The complete news release can be found at ismie.com.

Medical Liability & Illinois’ Civil Justice System “A Review of the Options”  

The Loyola University Chicago School of Law: Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy is hosting a program titled Medical Liability & Illinois’ Civil Justice System: A Review of the Options. A lively discussion of key medical liability issues in Illinois and across the country is anticipated by a diverse array of speakers and a response panel. Topics include no-fault medical liability insurance and health courts.  Responding panelists will come from defense and plaintiff bars. The closing luncheon will feature a conversation with Madison County Judge Barbara Crowder and Cook County Judge William Maddux.

Timely and significant for Illinois physicians, this program provides with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about new legal developments and hear reactions from those at the core of our state’s legal system.  The program is being held from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm on May 7, 2008, at Kasbeer Hall, Loyola Law Center, 25 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, IL. Registration is open to all and free-of-charge.

For more information on the speakers and panel participants visit: health-law@luc.edu. To register, contact Karen Clement at clement@isms.org or call 312-782-1654, ext 2423, or visit the Beazley Institute.

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