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"I applaud the Illinois General Assembly for approving legislation
that addresses a fundamental issue in this state -- patient access
to health care. We need to do all we can to keep doctors in our
state caring for our families, instead of watching them flee to
escape the high cost of medical malpractice premiums.
"During my State of the State address,
I called for medical malpractice reform because we can't make health
care more accessible or more affordable if we can't keep doctors in
our state. We need reform that protects the personal assets of
doctors, preserves the rights of injured people to bring their
claims and makes sure insurance companies
 reduce
their premiums. We needed the lawyers, the doctors, the hospitals
and the insurance industry to work together in an effort to improve
patient access to health care.
[to top of second column in this article] |
 "Let me be clear. I personally
oppose the idea of capping medical malpractice jury awards. But, the
need for real, meaningful reform heavily outweighs one man's
personal opinion. That's why I worked with House Speaker Michael
Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones to move reform forward.
"I will sign this legislation
because I believe it will protect doctors, lower the cost of their
insurance premiums and will encourage them to practice medicine in
Illinois."
[News release from the governor's
office]
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