Caps Myths Still Abound, Thanks To ISMIE

Cross posted from Illinois Deserves the Truth by Eric Bell

As the state Supreme Court gears up to look at med mal caps this fall, once again the press has started giving this issue a lot of attention.  The latest example, from Monday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, is a welcome change from some of the biased coverage we've seen lately.  However, even in this article, ISMIE continues its baseless claims about the “positive” effects of Illinois’ heartless caps law, despite all sorts of evidence to the contrary.  Wouldn't it be nice to hear the consumer's perspective once in a while?

Let’s be clear: the cruel and unconstitutional “caps”, which were quickly struck down by a lower court, have nothing to do with the flattening of doctors’ insurance rates.  Modulations in the insurance cycle cause this (see here).  Stronger insurance regulation and oversight, passed in 2005, have also helped.  Our director of insurance, and even insurance companies themselves, have pointed out that it is the regulation—not caps—that has increased competition and lowered rates in Illinois.  THIS is why ISMIE’s policyholders have gotten rebates.

It’s hard to believe anyone would applaud something like “caps”.  The only purpose this cruel law serves is to prevent innocent victims of malpractice from receiving fair compensation for their injuries (not to mention disproportionately hurt minorities, women, and children).

Hopefully the public can see through all of ISMIE's lies.