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Jeffrey Brewer
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Phone:
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847-553-3763
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Jeffrey.brewer@pciaa.net
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PCI Expresses Disappointment in Illinois High Court
Overturning Medical Liability Caps
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CHICAGO – The Illinois Supreme Court today declared
medical liability damage caps unconstitutional and that could impact the
state’s health care market and lead to higher costs for consumers, according to
the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).
“This decision is a step back for tort reform in Illinois,”
said Deirdre Manna, vice president Industry, Regulatory and Political Affairs
for PCI. “The litigation climate in Illinois continues to hurt the state’s
economy and this decision sends the wrong message. Since 2005, when the State
Legislature approved the caps, we have seen some stabilizing in costs.
Twenty-nine states have caps and we find in these states that award caps tend
to have a long term positive effect on the insurability and pricing of medical
liability insurance. This ruling will signal a return to rising medical costs
and the widespread inaccessibility of medical care. The citizens of Illinois
understand the need for a balanced civil justice system, and PCI intends to
stay in the forefront of the effort to bring the meaningful reforms that are
essential for economic growth and a healthy, robust insurance market.”
PCI is composed of
more than 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross-section of insurers
of any national trade association. PCI members write over $180 billion in
annual premium, 37.4 percent of the nation’s property casualty insurance.
Member companies write 44 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance
market, 30.7 percent of the homeowners market, 35.1 percent of the commercial
property and liability market, and 41.7 percent of the private workers
compensation market.
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