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POLICY & ADVOCACY
QUICK SHORT CUTS
2008 Policy
Agenda
2008
Legislative List
2008 Policy Agenda
Health Care
Access
All Kids provides access
to health insurance for all uninsured children who live in Illinois.
However, not all eligible children are enrolled. For adults, state funded
health insurance remains limited to parents with children under the age of
18 or those who qualify for the AABD program.
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Advocate for universal health
care proposals as recommended by the Adequate Health Care Task Force.
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Monitor and develop policy recommendations to improve the
implementation of the All Kids insurance program, Primary Care Case
Management (PCCM) and Disease Management (DM) systems.
Expand Access to Care
through School Health Centers
Children and Adolescents face myriad barriers to accessing
high quality comprehensive physical and mental health services. IMCHC will:
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Ensure the inclusion of $3 million in the state budget to
support new
and existing centers
§
Monitor 3% Cost-of-Doing Business increase for school health
centers
in the Illinois FYO8 budget
§
Advocate for a federal authorization for school health
centers,
SB600 and HR4230.
§
Ensure that Licensed Clinical Social Workers in school health
centers
are eligible to reimburse for services under new legislation
§
Guide implementation and rollout
of enhanced rates for school health
centers who are enrolled as Primary Care Providers in the Primary Care
Case Management (PCCM) program
§
Ensure that
school health centers are reimbursed by the state as eligible
under their direct access status within the PCCM, including
reimbursement from managed care enrollee
Reduce Infant Mortality
To improve birth outcomes Illinois needs to create an environment that
contributes to positive birth outcomes. IMCHC will:
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Convene
100 stakeholders to finalize recommendations and formulate
action steps.
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Launch
the Campaign to Save Our Babies to reduce disparities in birth
outcomes.
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Advocate
for the institution of a statewide MCH advisory board.
Access to Immunizations
Immunization rates for children and adults have reached an all time high,
yet there is still much work to be done to reach the Healthy People 2010
Goal of 90%. IMCHC will:
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Advocate for fully funded
Vaccines for Children (VFC) and VFC Plus programs.
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Prevent vaccine shortages by
amending the Mercury Free Vaccine Act to include a permanent exemption for
travel schedule and flu.
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Advocate
for private insurance companies to include vaccines in coverage.
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Expand the state child care
mandate to include all seven childhood immunizations.
2008 Legislative List
updated 4/30/08
ILLINOIS HOUSE BILLS:
HB4654, Rep. Mulligan (R-65): School Based
Health Center Appropriations
-- Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the
Department of Human Services for operations of school based centers under
the Division of Community Health and Prevention. Effective July 1, 2008.
Referred to Rules 1/30/08
HB4456, Rep. Harris (D-13) and Pritchard (R-70):
Creation of the Illinois Commission on Children, Youth and Families –
Creates a new commission to work collaboratively and strategically across
diverse service delivery systems to support and enhance a more intentional,
aligned, coordinated and comprehensive set of children and youth service
systems in Illinois. Commission will include public and private stakeholders
to advise state planning, priority setting and investment of resources.
Passed House 4/1/08; Assigned to Senate Human Services 4/17/08, Chief
Sponsor: Sen. Steans (D-7), Delgado(D-2), Collins (D-16), Kotowski (D-33)
HB5320, Rep. Hamos (D-18): Healthy Workplace
Act
-- Requires an employer to provide an employee
up to 7 sick days with pay during each 12-month period. Provides that an
employee may use the sick days care for physical or mental illness, injury,
medical condition, professional medical diagnosis or care, or a medical
appointment of the employee or a family member. Re-referred to
Rules Committee 3/14/08
HB4573, Rep. Feigenholtz (D-12): Public Aid
Application Rights – “No Wrong Door” –
Allows initial applications for food stamps, medical or TANF to be
submitted to any IDHS local office, gives clients a choice for ongoing case
management and waives food stamp face-to-face interviews when applicants
report earned income. Passed House 4/1/08; Referred to Rules in Senate
4/2/08, Chief Sponsor: Sen. Collins (D-16)
HB5865, Rep. Flowers (D-31): Health Insurance
Transparency and Accountability Act
– Would require
insurance companies to submit a one-page report detailing premiums, loss,
enrollment and average provider rates on a quarterly and annual basis to the
Division of Insurance. Passed House 4/16/08; Referred to Rules in Senate
4/17/07; Chief Sponsor: Sen. Crotty (D-19)
HB5615, Rep. Flynn-Currie (D-25): Reproductive
Justice and Access Act
– Provides that no
governmental unit or agency shall: (1) deny or interfere with an
individual's right to use or refuse contraception; (2) deny or interfere
with a pregnant woman's right to bear a child; (3) deny or interfere with a
pregnant woman's right to terminate a pregnancy: (i) prior to the viability
of the fetus or (ii) when the termination of pregnancy is necessary to
protect the life or health of the pregnant woman; or (4) require any woman
to terminate pregnancy without her consent. Provides that the State shall
ensure that individuals eligible for State medicaid assistance, or other
State medical assistance, receive financial assistance for reproductive
healthcare at least to the same extent as other comparable services.
Provides that all Illinois public schools shall offer medically accurate,
age appropriate, comprehensive sexual health education. Re-referred to
Rules Committee 3/14/08
HB4943, Rep. Mendoza (D-1): All Kids
Application Agents
-- Amends HFS’s All Kids Application Agent
agreement to allow for private employers to register as an AKAA and receive
a $50 Technical Assistance Payment for each successfully completed
application. Amendment 3 changes “private employers” to “day and temporary
labor service agencies.” Passed House 4/17/08; Referred to Rules in
Senate 4/23/08; Chief Sponsor: Sen. Althoff (R-32)
HB5192, Rep. Harris (D-13): Medicaid
Reimbursement for Breast Cancer
– Increases
Medicaid reimbursement rates for breast cancer screening and diagnostic
treatment to Medicare rates; requires that private insurance must provide
coverage for medically necessary pain treatment for breast cancer on the
same terms applicable to other conditions; provides that mandatory insurance
coverage for mammography should be provided at no cost to the insured and
shall not be subject to an annual or lifetime maximum benefit; makes other
changes to mammography coverage. Passed House 4/2/08; Referred to Rules
in Senate 4/3/08, Chief Sponsor: Sen. Collins (D-16)
HB750, Rep. Miller (D-29), Fritchey (D-11):
School District Property Tax Relief Fund
--
Increases the tax rate for individuals, trusts, and estates from 3% to 5%
and increased the tax rate for corporations from 4.8% to 8%. Amends the
School Code. In the State aid formula provisions, increases the foundation
level of support and grant amount for supplemental general State aid.
Provides for an education appropriation minimum and supplemental State aid
for rapidly expanding school districts. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading -
Short Debate 2/20/08 (Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 9, 2008)
HB5595, Rep. Coulson (R-17), Feigenholtz (D-12),
Jakobssen (D-103), Lang (D-16): Habilitative Services Bill
--
Amends state insurance code to provide coverage for
habilitative services, including, but not limited to occupational therapy,
physical therapy, and speech therapy, for children under the age of 19 with
congenital or genetic defects existing at or from birth, as well as those
who acquired a defect at a young age. Passed House 4/17/08; Referred to
Rules in Senate 4/23/08; Chief Sponsor: Sen. Martinez (D-20)
HB4369, Rep. Yarbrough (D-7): Poverty
Eradication Commission
–
Creates the Commission on the Eradication of Poverty Act through the
Department of Human Rights. Passed House 4/9/08; Referred to Rules in
Senate 4/10/08, Chief Sponsor: Sen. Frerichs (D-52)
HB6297, Rep. Miller (D-29), Fritchey (D-11), Lang
(D-16): FamilyCare Eligibility
– Expands
FamilyCare eligibility from 185% to 400% for parents and caregiver
relatives, subject to appropriation. Referred to Rules Committee 2/27/08
HB4440, Rep. Flowers (D-31), Black (R-104):
Certified Professional Midwife Licensure --
Provides for the regulation of persons
providing midwifery services through licensure by the Department of
Financial and Professional Regulation. Re-referred to Rules Committee
3/14/08
HB5231, Rep. Hernandez (D-24): Medicaid Dental
Services
-- Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that dental services
authorized under the medical assistance program include preventive,
diagnostic, or corrective procedures. Provides that dental services provided
to persons who are participating in education, training, or employment
programs operated by the Department of Human Services must be provided by an
individual licensed to practice dentistry or dental surgery; also provides
that such "dental services" mean diagnostic, preventive, or corrective
procedures provided by or under the supervision of a dentist in the practice
of his or her profession (eliminates a reference to prosthodontics). Fiscal
Note 1: This amendment allows, but does not mandate, the addition of adult
preventive dental services. FY09 estimated cost of providing two cleanings
and one fluoride treatment to the current adult Medicaid population is $59.1
million. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 4/16/08,
Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b)
May 9, 2008
HB5232, Rep. Hernandez (D-24) – DHS Dental
Services
-- Appropriates $80,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the
Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the purpose of increasing
provider reimbursement rates for dental services. Effective July 1, 2008.
Assigned to Rules Committee 2/14/08
HB5233, Rep. Hernandez (D-24) – Public Health
Dental Loan
-- Appropriates $250,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the
Department of Public Health for the purpose of awarding grants to dentists
who are participating in the Department’s Dental Loan Repayment Program.
Effective July 1, 2008. Assigned to Rules Committee 2/14/08
HB5234, Rep. Hernandez (D-24) – HFS Dental
Clinics
-- Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General
Revenue Fund to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the
purpose of awarding grants to develop local health department dental
clinics. Effective July 1, 2008. Assigned to Rules Committee 2/14/08
HB5038, Rep. Colvin (D-33) – Early Childhood
Education Grant
-- Amends the School Code. With respect to the
Early Childhood Education Block Grant, provides that not less than 11%
(instead of exactly 11%) of the grant shall be used to fund programs for
children ages 0-3. Provides that this percentage shall increase to at least
20% by Fiscal Year 2014, except that if, in a given fiscal year, the amount
appropriated for the Early Childhood Education Block Grant is insufficient
to increase the percentage of the grant to fund programs for children ages
0-3 without reducing the amount of the grant for existing providers of
preschool education programs, then the percentage of the grant to fund
programs for children ages 0-3 may be held steady instead of increased.
Effective July 1, 2008. Passed House 4/1/08; Referred to Rules in Senate
4/2/08, Chief Sponsor: Sen. Harmon (D-39)
HB5200, Rep. McCarthy (D-27): Child Care Center
Flu Vaccine Mandate
--
Deletes everything after the
enacting clause. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that the
Department of Children and Family Services shall require proof that children
enrolled in a child care facility have received vaccination against
influenza in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Effective immediately. Placed on Calendar 3rd Reading – Short
Debate 4/16/08 (Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 9, 2008)
HB1455, Rep. Burke(D-23), Yarbrough (D-7):
Flavored Tobacco
-- Provides that a person may not knowingly sell, distribute, or
offer for sale or distribution in this State or to any person in this State
any tobacco product or any component part thereof (including but not limited
to the tobacco, paper, or filter, and any components for roll-your-own
cigarettes), which contains a constituent (including a smoke constituent) or
additive or artificial or natural flavoring that produces a characterizing
flavor. Senate Chief Sponsor: Sen. Collins (D-16) Third Reading - Passed;
052-002-001 5/24/08; Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to
Rules Committee 1/10/08
HB315, Rep. Yarbrough (D-7): Lottery – Quality
of Life Game – Creates
a new lottery scratch-off game with net revenues supporting IDPH HIV/AIDS
initiatives; creates Quality of Life Board in IDPH. Senate Amendment 7
expands the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (IBCCP) to
all uninsured, eligible women and expands FamilyCare coverage; amendment
only goes into effect if HB473 and HB3860 become law.
Passed House 5/2/07; Passed Senate
4/3/08 with Amendments 1 & 7, Chief Sponsor: Sen. Link (D-30); Placed on
Order of House Reading for Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1 & 7 4/4/08
HB473, Rep. Bradley (D-40): Funding
Transparency --
Requires the full disclosure of all entities and organizations receiving
State funds. Requires the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB)
to establish a searchable website. Senate Amendments amend State Finance
Act only if HB 3860 and HB 315
become law; allows for
Governor to transfer funds from certain special funds into GRF, exempts
certain funds. Passed House
4/18/07; Passed Senate 4/3/08 with Amendments 1,2,3,4; Placed on Calendar
Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1,2,3,4 4/4/08
HB3860, Rep. Madigan (D-22): Board of Ed –
Technical
–
Appropriates $2 to Board of Ed from GRF for FY08 expenses. Senate
Amendment amends Public Act 95-348, if and only if HB 315 and HB 473 become
law, by making FY08 appropriations and reappropriations for specified
purposes and changing the amount of certain appropriations. Passed House
8/9/07; Passed Senate 4/3/08; Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate
Amendment(s) 2 4/4/08
HB5954, Rep. Wait (R-69): Insurance – High
Deductible Coverage
-- Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that when an
individual purchases a policy of accident and health insurance that is a
high deductible plan with a health savings account, the individual may waive
coverage for insurance mandates as required by the Code. House Amendment
1 does not require plans to use actuarially sound means to reduce premiums
when individuals refuse a mandate. Passed House 4/15/08; Refered to
Rules in Senate 4/17/08; Chief Sponsor: Sen. Jacobs (D-36) IMCHC OPPOSED
HB4223, Rep. Flowers (D-31): Insurance Review
Procedures
–
Changes the Illinois insurance code to allow for a more transparent process
for individuals to review claim denials and allows individuals to seek out
external independent review for denied claims. Passed House 4/9/08;
Referred to Rules in Senate 4/16/08; Chief Sponsor: Sen. Collins (D-16)
HB1432, Rep. Crespo (D-44): Insurance – Eating
Disorder Treatment
– Amends the Illinois insurance code to include
eating disorders in category of serious mental illnesses including anorexia
nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS),
as recognized by the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual. Passed House 4/3/08; Assigned to Senate Insurance Committee
4/17/08; Chief Sponsor: Sen. Cullerton (D-6)
HB 5789, Rep. Osterman (D-14), Colvin (D-33),
Gordon (D-75), Graham (D-78), Hernandez (D-24): Lead Poisoning Warnings –
Provides that no person, firm, or corporation shall sell,
have, offer for sale, or transfer toys, furniture, clothing, accessories,
jewelry, decorative objects, edible items, candy, food, dietary supplements,
or other articles used by or intended to be chewable by children that
contain a total lead content in any component part of the item that is more
than 0.004% (40 parts per million) by total weight unless that item bears a
warning statement that indicates that at least one component part of the
item contains lead. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/5/08
(Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 9, 2008)
ILLINOIS SENATE BILLS:
SB1940, Sen. Koehler (D-46), Collins (D-16),
Hunter (D-3): Illinois Family and Employers Health Care Act
--
Implements most recommendations
made by the Adequate Healthcare Taskforce; additional language to be
included in future amendment. Referred to Rules 2/7/08
SB2012, Sen. Delgado: Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion –
Creates a Task Force to make recommendations
to the Governor and General Assembly on reforming the delivery system for
chronic disease promotion and health promotion; ensuring adequate funding
for the infrastructure and delivery of programs; and the role of promotion
and chronic disease prevention in support of state spending on health care.
Passed Senate 4/1/08; Referred to House Rules 4/1/08, Chief Sponsor: Rep.
Soto (D-4)
SB2150, Sen. Koehler (D-46): Expedited Partner
Therapy -- Provides
that any person licensed under the Act shall dispense drugs or medicine with
a label indicating the name of the patient except in the practice of
expedited partner therapy for the treatment of sexually transmissible
diseases. Re-referred to Rules 3/14/08
SB2323, Sen. Crotty (D-19): Premium Loss Data
Reporting -- Would
require insurance companies to submit a one-page report detailing premiums,
loss, enrollment and average provider rates on a quarterly and annual basis
to the Division of Insurance. Re-referred to Rules 3/14/08
SB2288, Sen. Meeks (D-15), Cullerton (D-6), Jones
(D-14), Lightford (D-4), Collins (D-16): Education Funding/Tax Swap
--
Increases the income tax rates for individuals, trusts, and estates from 3%
to 5% of the taxpayer's net income and increases the rate of income tax for
corporations from 4.8% to 8% of the taxpayer's net income. Creates an income
tax credit for families with incomes below certain levels. Placed on
calendar 2nd reading for March 5th 2/28/08
SB385, Sen. Haine (D-56): Midwifery Licensure
Act
-- Provides for the licensure of midwives by the Department of
Financial and Professional Regulation. 3/29/2007 Senate Third Reading -
Passed;
051-007-000. 5/31/2007 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to
Rules Committee
SB2472, Sen. Steans (D-7): Liquor Control
Alcopop Label
-- Amends the Liquor
Control Act of 1934. Changes the definition of "alcopop" to include an
energy drink containing alcohol or other stimulants, including, but not
limited to caffeine, guarana, taurine, or ginseng. Provides that no entity
shall sell alcopop beverages for consumption unless the alcopop beverage
containers, cartons, wrappers, case, packaging, and labels contain or have
imprinted on a sticker firmly affixed to the packaging that contains
specific information. Sets forth the specific requirements for the content
and format for the labeling of alcopop beverages. Effective January 1, 2009.
Passed Senate 4/17/08; Referred to Rules in Senate 4/24/08; Chief
Sponsor: Rep. Harris (D-13)
SB1925, Sen. Schoenberg (D-9): Medicaid
Eligibility
– Amends Public Aid Code providing for medical assistance coverage
for persons who have income, as determined by the Department of Healthcare
and Family Services, that is equal to or less than 100% of the Federal
Poverty Level or is equal to or less than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level
by disregarding the maximum earned income as determined by the Department.
Also provides that such persons must be U.S. citizens, lawfully present in
the U.S., or permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law. Provides
that such persons must choose a medical home and primary care provider
through the Illinois Health Connect Primary Care Case Management Program or
any subsequent Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services primary
care case management program. Passed Senate 4/17/08; Referred to Rules in
House 4/24/08; Chief Sponsor: Rep. Coulson (R-17)
SB1900, Sen. DeLeo (D-10): Autism Spectrum
Disorders – Requires
insurers to cover the cost of autism spectrum disorder to the extent that
the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already
covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject
to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any
limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Passed
Senate 4/15/08; Referred to Rules in House, 4/15/08; Chief House Sponsor:
Rep. Saviano (R-77)
SB2173, Sen. Delgado (D-2), Raoul (D-13), Martinez
(D-20): Insurance Fee Schedules
– Amendment 1:
Provides that (i) reimbursement for any physician service must not be lower
than 60% of Medicare reimbursement in accordance with the Medicare payment
localities for Illinois (instead of not lower than Medicare reimbursement in
accordance with the Medicare payment localities for Illinois); (ii) the
physician fee schedule rates must be adjusted to no lower than 80% of
Medicare reimbursement by January 1, 2010, and no lower than 100% of
Medicare reimbursement by January 1, 2011 (instead of adjusted every January
1 corresponding to any adjustment in the Medicare fee schedule); (iii) all
adjustments shall be made without lowering any existing rates that may be
higher than the required level; and (iv) reimbursement rules and policies
shall not be more restrictive than Medicare physician payment rules and
policies by January 1, 2010 (now no time limit). Passed Senate 4/17/08;
Referred to House Rules 4/24/08; Chief Sponsor: Rep. Golar (D-6)
SB2868, Sen. Kotowski (D-33): Child Safe
Chemicals Act --
Prohibits the sale of children’s products containing more than trace amounts
(90 ppm) of neurotoxic lead; phases out bisphenol A from
food-containing products; for children under age 3; establishes a children’s
health advisory panel. Re-referred to Rules 3/14/08.
SB871, Sen. Haine (D-56): Regulations – Tech
– Amendment 1 filed by
Sen. Kotowski (D-33) allows adults up to age 25 years to stay on their
parent’s health insurance plan. Amendment awaits action in Insurance
Subcommittee 4/3/08 Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 3, 2008
SJRCA0092, Sen. Frerichs (D-52), Raoul (D-13),
Harmon (D-39), Steans (D-7), Hunter (D-3): Income Tax Rates --
Proposes to amend the Revenue
Article of the Illinois Constitution. Authorizes a tax on or measured by
income to be at a graduated rate (now, all taxes on or measured by income
shall be at a non-graduated rate). Provides that, in any such tax imposed
upon corporations, the rate shall not exceed the weighted average rate
imposed on individuals by more than a ratio of 8 to 5. Effective upon being
declared adopted. 4/17/08 Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April
29, 2008
ILLINOIS STATE APPROPRIATIONS
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The
Governor’s FY09 budget proposal includes several health care expansions,
including Illinois Covered Assist, the All Kids Bridge and the Roadmap to
Health. The Roadmap to Health includes $3 million dedicated to new school
health centers, as well as supporting existing centers. These expansions
are tied to an employer assessment, which requires that employers with 10
or more employees spend at least 4% of their payroll on health care,
otherwise they are subject to a 3% payroll assessment.
Take action to fund
school health center’s through IMCHC’s website.
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Illinois currently receives federal funding through the Title V program
for abstinence-only programs; in FY06, Illinois received about 1.8
million. The state is required to match $3 for every $4 received from the
federal government. However, numerous reports have shown that teen who
received comprehensive sexual education, which includes information about
abstinence and birth control, are more likely to delay sexual activity,
have fewer partners and use protection when they do become sexually
active, than compared to those who receive abstinence-only education.
Several groups, including the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health,
Chicago Foundation for Women and IMCHC are asking Governor Blagojevich to
join with other states to reject Title V funding. Take action through
IMCHC’s website.
FEDERAL
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S625, Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) Family Smoking
and Tobacco Prevention Act
– Gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate
the manufacture, distribution and sale of tobacco products.
Lead organization: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (IL), Mary Morrissey
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S600, Sen. Dodd (D-CT) and Smith (R-OR):
School-Based Health Clinic Establishment Act
-- Authorizes grant funding
for the operation and development of school-based health clinics, which
provide comprehensive and accessible primary health care services to
medically underserved children, youth and families; improve the physical
health, the emotional well-being and academic performance of such
populations; and work in collaboration with schools to integrate health
into the overall school environment. Authorizes $50 million for FY2008
and such sums that may be necessary for fiscal years 2009-2012.
Lead organization: National Assembly on School-Based Health Care
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HR4230, Rep. Hooley (D-OR) and Capito
(R-WV): School-Based Health Clinic Act of 2007
– House companion bill to S600. Take through NASBC’s website
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HR20, Rep. Rush (D-IL): Melanie Blocker-Stokes
Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act--
Provides for research on, and services for
individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis.
Passed House 10/15/07; Referred
to Senate committee: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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HR3799, Rep. Maloney (D-NY): Federal Employees
Paid Parental Leave Act of 2007
-- To provide
that 8 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal
employee shall be paid leave, and for other purposes. 10/11/2007
Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on
Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.
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HR2236, Rep. Maloney (D-NY): Breastfeeding
Promotion Act
-- Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to
protect breastfeeding by new mothers; to provide for a performance
standard for breast pumps; and to provide tax incentives to encourage
breastfeeding.7/17/07, Referred to the Subcommittee on Health,
Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
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HR5613, Rep. Dingell (D-MI): Protecting the
Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 –
Extends certain moratoria and impose
additional moratoria on certain Medicaid regulations through April 1,
2009. The various regulations restrict how Medicaid pays for hospital
services, graduate medical education, outpatient services, school-based
health services, services for individuals with disabilities, and case
management services.6 (See the Appendix for details.) While the direct
impact will be greatest for Medicaid beneficiaries — particularly children
and people with disabilities — the regulations will also have a
substantial impact on educational services, the foster care system, and
health care services such as trauma care and neonatal intensive care, upon
which entire communities rely. Passed the House with veto-proof
majority (342-62) 4/23/08 and the bill now moves to the Senate.
-
HR3014, Rep. Solis (D-CA): Health Equity and
Accountability Act --
Includes the Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act (ICHIA), to
provide states with an option to cover lawfully residing immigrant
children and pregnant women with federal Medicaid and the State Children's
Health Insurance Program funds without any five-year waiting period. The
bill also includes provisions that will enhance language access to health
care, minority community health care outreach, and health care workforce
diversity. 8/10/07 Referred to the Subcommittee on the
Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
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