QUICK SHORT CUTS

Policy Agenda 2010

Legislative Tracking List 2010

Affordable, accessible, guaranteed health care for all

Comprehensive federal health care reform is near passage. Much work will need to be done at the state level to ensure that the most-consumer friendly, affordable reforms are implemented. Additionally, public and provider education about new provisions will be necessary.

Work to implement private insurance reforms that will remove discrimination against women, including gender rating, treatment of pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, etc…
Monitor the effectiveness of existing public health insurance/health care programs. Advocate for simplifications that will increase the number of eligible individuals enrolled in these programs.

Increase oral health infrastructure and capacity in Illinois.

Support the priorities of the Bridge to Healthy Smiles Campaign, that include:

n	Increase Medicaid reimbursement rates from 46% to 64% of dentists’ fees.
n	Appropriate student loan repayment funds for dentists who practice in underserved areas.

Expand access to care through School Health Centers.

Children and adolescents face many barriers to accessing high quality comprehensive physical and mental health services. IMCHC will:

Advocate for new funding to support existing school health centers and fund new school health centers.

n	Monitor the RFP process for the allotted $3 million in the state budget capital plan to support new and existing centers.
n	Protect state SHC funding, in light of the state budget crisis.

Ensure that school health centers are receiving the maximum reimbursement from third party payers.

n	Ensure that Licensed Clinical Social Workers in school health centers are eligible to reimburse for services under new legislation.

Reduce racial health disparities in maternal and infant mortality.

In order to cut maternal and child health racial health disparities in half in 10 years and completely by 2033, IMCHC will work to implement recommendations from our Fall 2009 “Emma Report”. These include, but are not limited to:

n	Support “Paid Sick Days” legislation that will allow for all employees to earn paid leave to care for themselves or a family member when they are ill.
n	Ensure that a plan for MCH data to be shared between state departments is implemented, per language in Public Act 96-0799.
n	Work for the passage of the Reproductive Health and Access Act to ensure that the government does not interfere with a woman’s reproductive rights; require that all Illinois public schools teach medically accurate, age-appropriate comprehensive sexual health education; and make sure that government-funded health care programs cover basic reproductive health services including family planning and prenatal care.

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:

n	Ensure that IDPH is actively pursuing HL7 so that providers with electronic medical records in place can transfer existing immunization data into ICARE.
n	Protect public funding for immunizations at the state and federal levels.

Ensure quality care for preterm and late pre-term infants.

n	Support the production and distribution of educational materials about premature infants.
n	Work with hospitals to reduce the rate of medically unnecessary cesarean sections.

ilmaternal@ilmaternal.org

Tel: 312.491.8161

Fax: 312.491.8171

Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition

1256 W. Chicago Avenue

Chicago, IL 60642