ITS GOOD TO BE AN ISMIE BIGWIG

The drumbeat on medical malpractice reform was relentless. Everyday it seemed like there was another story in the paper about how doctors were fleeing the state because medical malpractice suits had driven up premiums. And there were countless stories about how much the insurance companies for the doctors were paying out in runaway verdicts. So the doctors got to push their "tort reform package" where pain and suffering damages were limited.

So it was interesting to see a Mike Fitzgerald's January 1, 2006 article in the Belleville New Democrat about how ISMIE cuts back in these challenging times. You would expect that with all the settlements and verdicts they were allegedly paying out, there would be a freeze on salaries. Not quite. Let's take ISMIE CEO Larry Lerner for example. Despite all stories in the media, ISMIE actually found some money to give him a raise. The raise he got in 2004 brought his annual salary to nearly $1 million dollars. But that's not all. He also got a low interest $995,000 mortgage on his 4800 square foot home in a fashionable North Shore neighborhood.

And then there is Don Udstuen, a former Illinois State Medical Society lobbyist. He got nearly $5 million dollars in deferred compensation right about the time he quit his post. Yeah, $5 million dollars. They found some money to pay him too. And a word or two about Don. This is the very same "Dr. Don" who was a member of former Governor George Ryan's "kitchen cabinet". As an esteemed member of that group, he accepted kickbacks from people who got state contracts through his influence. Mr. Udstuen also pled guilty to federal tax charges growing out of monies he secretly stashed away and lied about while a member of Metra's board. [Incidentally, it should also be noted that when Dr. Don was in trouble with the feds he agreed to cooperate and wear a wire so he could implicate his long-time friend Governor Ryan. Quite a guy.]

The conclusion? Times are always good if you are an ISMIE bigshot.