The Illinois Supreme Court Thursday did not rule as expected on whether the state's four-year-old medical malpractice reform survives. The next batch of Supreme Court opinions is expected in mid-January, the court spokesman said. The much-anticipated ruling, which could directly impact the constitutionality of damage caps for doctors and hospitals, is being watched closely by the healthcare industry and employers who see caps on damages as a way to tame rising healthcare costs. Should the high court uphold the law, it could provide momentum in Washington for federal malpractice reform.
