A bad bill awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature would drive doctors out of Illinois

House Bill 3360, pushed by Illinois trial lawyers, would allow prejudgment interest to be charged in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

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The Illinois State Medical Society is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker not to sign legislation that they warn could drive doctors out of the state.

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At a time when the Illinois Legislature should be supporting the health care heroes who are working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers have instead passed legislation that would drive up the costs of practicing medicine and send physicians packing to more welcoming states. 

A bad bill sponsored by the trial lawyers of Illinois was passed in the wee hours of the morning earlier this month by a lame-duck legislature. The physicians of Illinois are outraged at the passage of House Bill 3360, which will allow prejudgment interest to be charged in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. 

SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be 350 words or less.

Illinois already is a challenging and expensive state in which to practice medicine. This egregious action against health care professionals ultimately will hurt patients. They will experience diminished access to quality health care as physicians decide they can no longer afford to work in this state. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, please veto this bill. 

Robert W. Panton, president, Illinois State Medical Society

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We have a system of checks and balances to safeguard against misconduct by elected officials. The House in this case is just doing its solemn duty. Though Trump will never learn, impeaching him is necessary. Some people also said impeaching President Bill Clinton was a waste of time, considering how trivial the charges were.

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