ISMIE Mutual Confronts Misinformation, Focuses on Facts
ISMIE Mutual’s effort to champion meaningful medical liability reform on behalf of our policyholders has spawned waves of opposition in the media by trial attorney-backed groups. This deluge of anti-physician propaganda stands in sharp contrast to factual articles and editorials published over the past four months in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and multiple regional newspapers throughout the state.
When the opposition peddles selective half-truths, ISMIE Mutual stays with the facts. Like you, we’re practicing physicians and policyholders. We take these attacks seriously and
respond vigorously.
The most flagrant example to date of published misinformation appeared in Crain’s Chicago Business on June 14 (“Med-mal mess on mend?”). The article used incomplete information that smacked of plaintiff lawyers’ language. In a rebuttal published in Crain’s the following week, ISMIE Mutual Chairman Harold L. Jensen, M.D., responded, “Crain’s highly selective extraction of ISMIE financial data from 1985-94 fabricates the perception of stability, when the full picture clearly demonstrates a disturbing trend of tort costs far exceeding medical inflation…” (See Dr. Jensen’s full response at www.ismie.com).
Comprehensive Numbers Show True Picture
Excluded in the Crain’s article is reference to the out-of-control litigation system – and any figures that demonstrate the undeniable correlation between the frequency of claims and size of awards to the cost of liability insurance. Eighty percent of claims against our policyholders result in no payment to the plaintiff – yet each of these claims cost ISMIE Mutual an average of $25,000 to defend.
Included in the Crain’s article was a misleading chart that compared premiums collected over nine years with malpractice claims paid out. The chart left out $900 million paid to date in direct defense cost for claims (mostly non-meritorious) and $1 billion in required reserves to fund more than 5,000 outstanding claims. A balanced article would have demonstrated ISMIE Mutual’s conservative business practices and physician-first service culture that have kept us in business for nearly 30 years.
The charts and captions we have provided present the correct financial picture.
What is the reason for the onslaught of media gaffes? The extended legislative session in Springfield is one answer. Aggressive lobbying stonewalled physician-friendly legislation, including bills that addressed caps on non-economic damage awards and personal asset protection.
Keeping you informed
Plaintiff attorney-backed groups are relentlessly attacking ISMIE Mutual in a well-coordinated effort to foil passage of meaningful legislation that will keep physicians in Illinois and assure patient access to health care.
ISMIE Mutual will work nonstop to keep the truth about the crisis in the forefront. As always, we are here to help you, our loyal policyholders, maintain perspective on the multiple challenges you face so that best-quality patient care can continue to be your focus.