The president of the Illinois State Medical Society will be updating Jefferson and Hamilton County Medical Society members on the progress of the national health care reform next week.

Dr. James Milam, who will be in the King City Thursday, says his role is to basically "be out on the road talking with doctors, residents, media, patients and public groups" about issues that affect patients and Illinois residents. He said when he became president of the ISMS last April, he didn't realize health care was going to be the "hot topic" it has become today.

"It's very personal to all of us," he said Friday. "Doctors are the ones who deliver health care, so we know plenty about the weaknesses and strengths of the system. As a result, we have a pretty strong view on how to fix it."

And from the public's view, he said, patients have told him that when they get sick, they want a doctor who will provide quality care and be able to "not go bankrupt" in getting that care.

"That's the basis for the opportunity for me to educate folks about what we in the medical society believe could, and should, be done to fix what's wrong with the system, but keep what's right," Milam explained.

Milam has been traveling across the state attending town hall meetings regarding the health care reform, as well as attending American Medical Association meetings with legislators.

"We want to spread our view and get feedback from folks on what they think is going on and get suggestions," he said.

Accessibility and affordability are two key issues concerning patients, Milam added.

"The medical society believes everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care," he said. "And we want to make sure they get that. Patients want the same thing we want."

Milam remarked whatever reforms do take place, in his perspective, should use the current public/private system and applauds insurance companies which have agreed to concessions, such as getting rid of pre-existing condition restrictions and streamlining of insurance claims for easier paperwork.

On the other hand, the ISMS opposes mandated treatment and guidelines set by insurance companies or the government.

"People talk about insurance companies not practicing medicine and in reality, what they do is decide what they're going to pay for," he said. "Also, there are times in the past when HMOs would say, 'We're not going to pay for this or you can't do this scan.' (Some of) those tests are so expensive that patients really can't be expected to pay for it out of their own pocket. We'd like everybody to be insured and want to make sure everybody is taken care of when they're sick."

At Thursday's meeting, Milam will give Jefferson and Hamilton County Medical Society members an update on "where we stand on terms of the national scene with the House and Senate bills," he said.

"I think everyone involved understands the final bill has not been written, because the House and Senate have not even voted on the floor regarding the committee work that has been done on both sides. Until we get to those votes, we'll let them know where they stand."

The ISMS is a voluntary membership organization which first began in Springfield in 1840, and now represents approximately 12,000 doctors, residents and medical students throughout the state. The Society represents the interests of member physicians, advocates for patients and promotes the doctor/patient relationship, the ethical practice of medicine, and the betterment of the public health, information from its Web site states.