Make sure the oil's changed and the tank is full...

Imagine with me if you will...

[Rod Serling's voice]: A man and his pregnant wife on a leisurely stroll through central park by the Transfer House. Suddenly she realizes her water has broken and she needs to get to the hospital soon. The baby wasn't due for two more weeks, but there's no stopping it now. The trouble is, there are no doctors in Decatur who deliver babies anymore, and the husband is wondering if they'll make it to Springfield in time. Another dangerous day, in the

NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE! No, this is not the Twilight Zone. In fact, women south of Carbondale have been dealing with this very scenario for quite some time now. They literally have to drive to Evansville, Indiana, St. Louis, Missouri, or even to Kentucky to get an OB/GYN who will deliver babies. Why? Because the medical malpractice rates in southern Illinois are so ridiculous that there are very few, if any physicians who will continue to do OB care. Decatur OB/GYNs have said that if their rates go up anymore, they may be forced to do what the doctors in southern IL did: stop delivering babies and just do gynecologic care.

Regardless of who the medical malpractice insurer is (ISMIE, or even the Illinois Hospital Association who insures Decatur's employed physicians,) the rates are going up! This year ISMIE was able to keep things fairly level, but other physicians have seen their rates almost double. Without medical liability reform, you the patient, may find yourself in the twilight zone.

Act now! Contact your physician about postage-paid postcards to your legislators. If these aren't available, go to the realitymedicine link and find out who your legislators are. Democrat or Republican, when it comes to your access to healthcare, everyone looks the same on the operating table. Let's Keep Doctors In Illinois!

Footnote: I'm going to be letting other contributors post to this site for a while; I'm getting too busy. Dr. Gregory will be the admin until further notice...