Veto law that will hike medical costs

At a time when Illinois lawmakers should be supporting healthcare heroes who are working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, we instead receive unwelcome new legislation that will drive up the costs of practicing medicine in Illinois and send more physicians packing to move to a more welcoming state.

A very bad piece of legislation sponsored by the trial lawyers of the state was recently passed in the wee hours of the morning by a lame duck Illinois legislature.

The physicians of Illinois are outraged at the passage of House Bill 3360, which will allow prejudgment interest in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

Illinois is already a challenging and expensive state in which to practice medicine.

This egregious action taken against healthcare professionals will ultimately hurt the patients of Illinois who will experience diminished access to quality healthcare when physicians decide they can no longer afford to work in this state.

Gov. Pritzker, please veto this bill.

Robert W. Panton, President

Illinois State Medical Society

Elmwood Park