1. Policyholder Dividends Continue for a Second Year
2. The Constitutional Fight Rages On
3. Risk Rewards Seminars for June
4. They’re At It Again…Hooray for the Good Guys! 

Policyholder Dividends Continue for a Second Year 

ISMIE Mutual policyholders are now entering year two of the dividend program. One year ago, Chairman Harold L. Jensen, M.D. announced, “If positive trends persist, the dividends will continue and may even grow.” Dr. Jensen’s cautious optimism has become a reality. Positive trends will yield payouts to policyholders to the tune of $11.5 million. 

These dividends will appear as credits on eligible policyholders’ premium renewal invoices beginning July 1, 2008. The credit, derived from ISMIE’s positive financial experience in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 policy years, will be shared with policyholders who have been continuously insured by ISMIE since those policy years.

In a recent news release, Dr. Jensen stated, “Illinois’ improving legal landscape made these dividends possible. ISMIE’s claim frequency is down for the two policy years the dividends reflect, so those funds are now available to return to our loyal physician policyholders. We are elated to be giving this money back; it’s emblematic of our physician advocacy mission.”

For more information on ISMIE’s dividend program, visit www.ismie.com.

The Constitutional Fight Rages On 

On May 8, 2008, the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) filed an amicus brief (also known as a friend-of-the-court brief) requesting that the Illinois Supreme Court preserve Illinois patients’ future access to medical care by upholding the state’s 2005 medical liability reform law.  The brief requests that the Illinois Supreme Court overturn the Cook County Circuit Court’s November 2007 decision declaring the tort reform law unconstitutional.

The Illinois high court has not set a date to rule on the constitutionality of the medical lawsuit reform, it is expected that more briefs will be filed from both the plaintiffs and the defendants throughout the summer months. Oral arguments are expected to take place by the end of 2008.

An additional brief was filed by the former U.S. Solicitor General, Theodore Olson, on behalf of the physician defendants in the three underlying medical malpractice cases being used to challenge the 2005 law. To date, no oral arguments have been scheduled. ISMIE Mutual will keep you up to date on the results.

For all the information on the briefs, medical liability reform and the constitutional challenge visit www.realitymedicine.com and www.ismie.com.

Risk Rewards Seminars for June

ISMIE Risk Rewards has two upcoming seminars for physicians during the month of June at the following times and locations.

An Aging Population: Liability Issues in Treating Older Patients
Moline
Thursday, June 5
Stoney Creek Inn
101 18th St.
8:30 –11:30 am

Risk Management in General and Orthopedic Surgery
St. Charles
Thursday, June 12
Pheasant Run Resort
4051 East Main St.
8:30 – 11:30 am

Successful completion of each course will earn you a 1% premium discount per seminar and AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. A maximum discount of 15% may be earned in 2008 and will be applied to your annual policy renewal on or after July 1, 2009. Remember, physician policyholders may attend any of these courses provided they have not completed the same seminar since January 1, 2004. Discounts that exceed the 15% annual limit may not be carried over to the following year. To register visit: www.ismie.com and click on Risk Rewards Resources, or call 1-800-782-4767, ext. 1627.

They’re At It Again…Hooray for the Good Guys!

They're At It Again...

Hooray for the good guys! Last week we shared Sherman “Tiger” Joyce’s question, “Why isn’t this Congress willing to investigate alleged misconduct among trial lawyers?” We agreed with his concerns and apparently so did members of Congress. Just days later, House Minority Leader John Boehner and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith sent a formal request to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, citing the high profile indictments and guilty pleas of trial lawyers. The letter requested an investigation into their questionable practices. Click here to read the full letter.

The effort of these Congressional leaders is already receiving praise. Lisa Rickard, President of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, recently released a statement lauding the efforts of Boehner and Smith. Rickard’s full statement can be found at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform web site. Looks like the good guys are taking the lead.

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