News from Representative Randy Ramey District 55 - Republican
	Contact	###	213-N Stratton Building
		Carol Stream, IL #####	Springfield, IL 62706
		Phone:	Phone : 217-558-1037
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		WERAMEY3@aol.com
For Immediate Release
Date:  August 25, 2005

Ramey announces victory for Illinois patients

Springfield, IL…In response to the signing of significant medical malpractice reforms Thursday, newly appointed State Representative Randy Ramey (R-Carol Stream) said the new measures are a victory for all Illinois patients who have lost trusted doctors to the health care availability crisis plaguing the state.

“Access to health care has severely dwindled over the past few years as medical malpractice insurance rates continue to soar,” said Ramey. “Families have lost the right to choose doctors and physicians because so many of them are opting to move to more friendly work climates across state borders.”

Ramey said the new reform package:

• Creates the Patient’s Right to Know Law, developing a website where information about a physician’s history will be available to the public;
• Imposes stricter regulation on malpractice insurance companies by requiring them to report to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s Division of Insurance every time there is a change in their rates and makes it easier for the division to call hearings to determine whether a company’s rates are too high;
• Enhances medical discipline by giving the Division of Professional Regulation a greater ability to investigate physicians and increase the fine imposed on doctors in disciplinary cases to $10,000; and
• Institutes litigation reforms including placing a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages awarded in malpractices cases against physicians and a $1,000,000 cap on non-economic damages awarded in cases against hospitals and strengthens the affidavit of merit.

“This comprehensive package is similar to House Republican proposals introduced over the past two years,” said Ramey. “It tackles the issue from all sides with the intention of lowering medical malpractice premiums and providing better health care access to our families.”

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