March 27, 2009 
 

Governor Pat Quinn announced his proposed FY2010 state budget on Wednesday, March 18th in Springfield. His budget was a stark reminder of the challenging financial times that we face in Illinois, as many cuts to human and social service programs were proposed. Some of these program cuts include infant mortality reduction programs, home visiting programs that target very at-risk children and their families, child care assistance and prevention and early intervention for children who need mental health services.

However, health care services provided to individuals and families through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, which houses Illinois’ Medicaid agency were spared.

Governor Quinn also proposed an increase to the individual income tax rate, an increase to the corporate income tax and pension reform, which are all expected to help ease the pressure on the state budget and help fix Illinois’ structural deficit problem.

IMCHC will continue to monitor the state budget situation. Read below for more details or contact Kathy Chan for more information. 

Legislative Updates


Federal – White House Forum on Health Reform and Proposed FY2010 Budget

President Obama addressed health care providers, advocates, consumers, health insurance companies, labor, business and other leaders at the White House Forum on Health Reform earlier this month by saying, “We are here today to discuss one of the greatest threats not just to the well-being of our families and the prosperity of our businesses, but to the very foundation of our economy – and that is the exploding cost of health care in America today.”

Key legislative leaders have set forth their own deadlines for the introduction of Senate and House bills that will enact health care reform, however, disagreements about a key provision, the public plan option, have already been expressed by several stakeholders. Regional forums on health reform have also taken place throughout the nation. Visit the White House’s health reform website for additional details. 

The Obama Administration also indicated their intention to invest in health care reform, by releasing a budget proposal that sets aside $634 billion over 10 years for reform efforts. Although specific plan details have not been released, the budget lists eight principles that should guide efforts for reform, including: protecting families’ financial health, affordability, a path towards coverage for all, portability of health plans despite job changes, choice, investments in prevention and quality care and fiscal sustainability.

Source: Coalition on Human Needs

Federal – FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

As a result of disagreements between Congress and President Bush over the FY09 budget, Congress was only able to pass a budget extension that held funding at FY08 levels through March 11th, 2009.

Congress passed an FY09 appropriations bill on March 6th that included increased funding for many domestic programs such as child care and early education; primary, secondary and higher education; employment; women’s health; housing assistance and legal services.

The Omnibus Appropriations Bill also includes a provision to increase the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant to states by $2.9 million. Although this is very modest increase, advocates hope that this is sign that the Obama Administration will reverse the course of the previous administration, which cut many program funds in this area.

Visit the National Women’s Law Center’s website for more information and more specific budget details.  

State – Governor Quinn’s FY2010 Budget

Governor Quinn presented his FY2010 state budget on March 18th, which included cuts to many human service and social service programs, including:

• Infant mortality programs in the Illinois Department of Human Services that includes Family Case Management and the All Our Kids (AOK) Networks were cut by 10% or $2 million
• The intensive prenatal performance project, which provides services for high-risk pregnant women was cut by 15%, reducing the line item from $5,047,000 to $4,288,000
• Funding to family planning clinics was cut by 15% or $145,000
• Home visiting programs funded through Healthy Families Illinois and Parents Too Soon budget line items were reduced by $1.9 million or 10%
• The child care assistance program which provides low-income working families with subsidies for child care was cut by $50 million, making it significantly more difficult for families to access quality child care
• Prevention and early intervention mental health services for children were cut by $354,000 or 6%
• Early intervention programs that are designed to help children birth to three years of age with diagnosed developmental delays saw a small reduction, despite increased caseloads

However, Governor Quinn also made it clear of his priorities to preserve funding for early childhood education and health care by:

• Increasing Illinois’ commitment to Preschool for All by increasing the Early Childhood Block Grant by $12.5 million
• Appropriating funding to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) that will allow HFS to pay ALL providers in no more than 30 days for clean claims

Several revenue reforms have also been proposed that are intended to help fix Illinois’ structural deficit, as well as make up for lost revenue as a result of the recession. These include:

• Tripling the personal exemption from $2,000 to $6,000
• Increasing the individual income tax rate from 3% to 4.5%
• Increasing the corporate income tax rate to 7.2%
• Changing Illinois’ tax code to prevent businesses from sheltering income and avoiding taxes when they create businesses outside of the country

Legislative leaders have already indicated an interest in ending the legislative session by the May 31st deadline. IMCHC will monitor the budget process as it develops. Please contact Kathy Chan with additional questions. Thanks to the Ounce of Prevention for providing some of this information.

State – Legislative Summary

IMCHC has been active in Springfield keeping track of several pieces of health care legislation that include:

HB3923, the Health Insurance Fairness Act, would provide greater consumer protections for those purchasing insurance in the individual or small group market. Reforms in the Act include:

• Requiring that $.85 of every $1 paid for health insurance premiums is spent on health care services, instead of going towards profit and administrative costs.
• Guaranteeing transparent and fair insurance industry business practices by establishing the Office of Patient Protection, which will review denied claims and approve all rate increases.

Click here to view a fact sheet outlining these provisions and other reforms included in the bill. See our “Take Action” section for more information about making a toll-free call to your legislator to support HB3923.

SB1331, the Illinois Family and Employers Health Care Act, contains many of the same insurance reform regulations as HB3923. In addition, this bill also includes a new employer assessment on certain businesses that do not provide adequate health insurance coverage.

HB2354, the Reproductive Health and Access Act seeks to:

• Bar the government from interfering with anyone’s ability to use birth control, carry a pregnancy to term or terminate a pregnancy.
• Makes sure Medicaid covers basic reproductive health care services like family planning, prenatal care and pap tests.
• Requires Illinois public schools to teach medically accurate, age appropriate, comprehensive sex education.

A full list of legislation that IMCHC is currently tracking can be viewed and downloaded from our website.

See the “Take Action” section of the newsletter to show your support by sending an email to your legislator.

Nominate Someone for the Loretta Lacey Health Advocacy Award 

IMCHC is now accepting nominations for the Loretta Lacey Maternal and Child Health Advocacy Award, which will be presented at our annual luncheon on June 2nd. Eligible categories include: researcher, community advocacy and health care provider; self-nominations are allowed.

The deadline is April 30th. Visit IMCHC’s homepage to download a nomination form.

Robyn Gabel Featured on ABC News

IMCHC’s Executive Director Robyn Gabel was recently featured on Channel 7 – ABC News where she talked about resources for the uninsured. Visit IMCHC’s homepage to view the clip and also download a list of health care programs and resources that you can use to direct individuals and families who need help finding health care coverage.



RSVP Now for School Health Center Springfield Advocacy Day – April 1st  

Join the Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers for our School Health Center Advocacy Day and Rally in the Capitol Rotunda! Students, school health center providers, teachers, parents and school health center supporters are invited to take part in this exciting opportunity to speak directly to Illinois legislators about the importance of school health centers in the lives of students, families and communities.

Come make your voice heard by encouraging policymakers to support expansions of the school health center model!

Date: Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
Where: Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, IL
When: All day
Cost: IMCHC will cover the cost of travel and food. Buses pick up from various schools.
RSVP: Please email Megan Erskine or contact her by phone at 312-491-8161x 32.

 
Cover the Uninsured Week – March 22-28

Events throughout the nation will be organized for Cover the Uninsured Week 2009, which will take place from March 22nd through March 28th. Cover the Uninsured Week seeks to draw attention to the 47 million Americans without health insurance through health fairs, enrollment opportunities, panel discussions and other events.

Free materials are available from the Cover the Uninsured Week website. You can also browse the website to see what other events are being organized in Illinois and throughout the nation.

Email Kathy Chan or contact her at 312-491-8161 x 24 if you plan on coordinating an event.

National Infant Immunization Week  - April 25 – May 2, 2009

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) will be celebrated April 25 through May 2, 2009 and Chicago will be the kick-off city for events. The theme for the 2009 NIIW is "Love them. Protect them. Immunize Them."

Visit the NIIW events web page for planning resources, public relations and campaign materials. For more information about the NIIW events in Chicago, email Sheila Sanders with the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign, or call her at 312-491-8161x28.

Chicago Area Immunization Campaign Spring General Meeting

Registration for the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign’s Spring General Meeting is now open. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 29th from 8am – 12pm at the University of Illinois – Chicago, 828 S. Wolcott Street. A full breakfast will be provided.

This quarter’s topic is “The State of Immunizations” and will feature Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General, Interim Deputy Director for Science and Public Health Program, Director for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Dr. Kamala Ghaey, Pediatrician, Kidz Health; and Salaeha Shariff, Immunization Project Manager, American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Chapter. Additionally, an awards presentation will be lead by Dr. Damon Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

There is no cost to attend this meeting. Email Sheila Sanders or call her at 312-491-8161x28 to RSVP.

Save the Date: School Health Center Statewide Conference, May 7th and 8th

Please join school health center staff and stakeholders in Champaign, IL at the I-Hotel and Conference Center on May 7th and 8th for the Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers' annual School Health Center Conference. Co-sponsored by the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, the conference will promote a positive approach to sexual health issues and showcase school health centers as ideal environments for implementing meaningful change.

Conference Highlights

• Keynote Session featuring Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH, Chief, Section of Family Planning, The University of Chicago Medical Center
• School Health Centers: Basics and Beyond is returning with new and updated information for all school health center staff and partners.
• Advocacy Summit: Strategies for Local Change is devoted to child and adolescent advocacy in Illinois and tangible strategies to create change in your school and community.
• Interactive Workshops designed specifically for medical and mental health providers, health center staff and administrators and child and adolescent health advocates.
• School Health Center Tour: see the school health center model in action by visiting the Urbana school health center.

Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. For more information please visit the ICSHC webpage or email Conor Butkus at contact him by phone at 312-491-8161.

Volunteer for an IMCHC Board Committee

IMCHC is currently seeking volunteers to serve on our new board committees. Committees include: governance, fundraising, policy/programs, finance and marketing.

Committee volunteers would work directly with staff and members of our Board of Directors on various projects that help support IMCHC as an organization. This is a great “stepping stone” opportunity for individuals who would like to eventually serve on IMCHC’s Board of Directors.

For more information or to find out how to join a committee, please email Lilah Handler.

Newsletter Archive

Visit our newsletter archive to read about recently listed articles from past issues. Past topics include:

• Federal and State Legislative Updates

• March 6th Policy Forum Materials

• Thank You to School Health Center Fundraiser Attendees

• “Sound the Alarm” Materials

   

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Ask for School Health Center Funding to be Included in a Capital Budget Proposal!

Senate and House leaders are crafting a state capital infrastructure plan and they need to hear from you to ensure that funding for school health centers is included in any proposal for health care infrastructure.

Contact Senate President Cullerton, along with your state Senator and Representative, to tell them that school health center funding should be included in a capital funding proposal.

Visit IMCHC’s e-advocacy center to take action today.

Support Common Sense Health Reform!

Illinois’ health care system is broken. Individuals and small businesses pay too much and do not get enough care in return.

Take action today by calling the Health Insurance Reform Hotline at 1-800-664-9903, where you will be connected with your legislator to ask him or her to urge support for HB3923, the Health Insurance Fairness Act.

Reforms in the Act include:

• Requiring that $.85 of every $1 paid for health insurance premiums is spent on health care services, instead of going towards profit and administrative costs.
• Guaranteeing transparent and fair insurance industry business practices by establishing the Office of Patient Protection, which will review denied claims and approve all rate increases.

Make a toll-free call to 1-800-664-9903 and support HB3923. Thanks to our partners at AARP – Illinois for providing the toll-free number.

Support the Reproductive Health and Access Act – Send an email to your State Representative Today!

HB2354, the Reproductive Health and Access Act seeks to:

• Bar the government from interfering with anyone’s ability to use birth control, carry a pregnancy to term or terminate a pregnancy.
• Makes sure Medicaid covers basic reproductive health care services like family planning, prenatal care and pap tests.
• Requires Illinois public schools to teach medically accurate, age appropriate, comprehensive sex education.

Take action today by visiting IMCHC’s e-advocacy site and sending an email to your State Representative to urge his/her support.

Register Now for “Beyond Visible Injuries” Violence Prevention Conference – April 2nd

The Illinois Center for Violence Prevention’s 2009 Annual Conference “Beyond Visible Injuries: The Link between Health and Violence”willincrease participants' understanding of the role that health care providers can have in preventing violence.  Physicians, nurses, midwives, dentists, and others play a key role in preventing violence, as they may be the first and only professionals with whom some victims of violence and abuse come into contact.

The Conference will take place on April 2nd from 8am – 5:30pm at the UIC Student Center East in Chicago. View the conference brochure and workshop detail by visiting the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention’s website.

The Changes in Washington and What in Means to State-Level Work - Health Care & Food Conference Call

The From Poverty to Opportunity Campaign is hosting a series of audio event calling on national experts to share their insight into the changes and possibilities on the federal level and what those changes mean to our work here in Illinois. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn what can be done to make sure opportunity is extended to the most vulnerable in our society.

The next conference call will take place on Monday, April 6 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and address health care and food. Speakers include Rachel Klein, Deputy Director of Health Policy at Families USA and Colleen Pawling, Food Stamp Analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

RSVP to the call by visiting Heartland Alliance’s website.

Free Sexual Health Workshops

The Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health is hosting free positive sexual health workshops throughout Spring 2009. The workshops will offer innovative strategies to include positive sexual health messages into your work with adolescents.

Visit ICAH’s website to find dates and locations for these trainings. Email Carrie Neff Andrews, ICAH Training Coordinator, for more information, or call her at 309-378-8500.

 
Bridge to Healthy Smiles Updates

Coordinators with the Bridge to Healthy Smiles Campaign, which seeks to improve oral health care in Illinois, are looking for parents who have experienced dental access issues and who live on the Western border of Illinois (Quad Cities to the Metro East area). Please email Michelle Arnold or call her at 773.867.8564 if you have know a family that would be willing to share their story.   

A new video illustrating the oral health crisis in Illinois is now available on the Bridge to Healthy Smiles website.  Coordinators plan to send DVDs to each member of the General Assembly, media and campaign members.

The Stakeholders Collaborative Forum on Monday, March 30th will feature Dr. Pat Cooper. While serving as Superintendent of the McComb, Mississippi school district, Dr. Cooper implemented a longitudinal study on coordinated school health that resulted in improvements in academic achievement, teacher productivity, and attendance and discipline rates among other issues. Dr. Cooper is currently the CEO of the Early Childhood and Family Learning Foundation in New Orleans.

Monday, March 30, 2009
9:00 am to 11:30 am (registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 am)
Conference Center at UBS Tower
1 N. Wacker - Michigan Ballroom (2nd Floor)
If you would like to attend this event, please complete and return the registration form. Please contact us for additional details concerning this event.

LaRabida’s 13th Annual Perspectives in Health Care Symposium – April 3rd

Registration is now open for La Rabida Children’s Hospital’s 13th Annual Perspectives in Care Symposium:  Health and Developmental Outcomes of Children Born Prematurely on April 3, 2009 in Chicago.

The day-long event features keynote speaker and author Heidelise Als, Ph.D., Director of Neurobehavioral Infant and Child Studies, Children’s Hospital, Boston.

On-line registration available at www.larabida.org

Healthy Smiles Fund Check-Off on IL Income Tax Form

As we all prepare to tackle our 2008 Income Tax Returns, please keep oral health in mind. Last year, the IFLOSS Coalition was able to obtain a tax check-off account on the Illinois State Income Tax Return. The money donated to this fund will help support children's oral health care. 

Many kids do not receive any care other than care received in some schools.  To assure the continuation of the tax check off, it must have a minimum balance of $100,000. 

Recent surveys have found that more than half of Illinois' third graders have tooth decay and one out of every 20 suffers from toothaches. Good oral health is essential to a child's behavior, speech, language and overall growth and development. Your contribution will help ensure every Illinoisan has a healthy smile.                                   

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting children in our state. Please support the Healthy Smiles Fund (Line J, IL-1040 Schedule G). 

Advocates Call for Senate Ratification of UN Convention on Global Women’s Issues

The US is only one of eight countries that has not ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), a policy adopted by the United Nations and 192 member countries in 1979.

Women’s rights advocates expressed hope on International Women’s Day that the US Senate will ratify CEDAW, under the leadership of California Senator Barbara Boxer, who is also the chair of the Foreign Relations subcommittee that oversees global women’s issues.  

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – March 9, 2009

President Obama Creates White House Council on Women and Girls’ Issues

An executive order by President Obama created the White House Council on Women and Girls earlier this month. The council intends to provide a coordinated federal response to challenges that women and girls face, as well as review how federal programs and policies, such as paid leave, child care and fair pay, impact women and families.

Tina Tchen, an attorney from Chicago who currently leads the Office of Public Liaison in the White House will be serve as the Executive Director, with Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett serving as chair.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – March 11, 2009

Rise in STI Rates Evident Among Women, Young People and Minorities

A January CDC report found that cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have increased in the US, especially in women, young people and minorities.  Although these STIs can be treated with antibiotics, they continue to be spread as many individuals do not know their status. 

Women are three times more likely to have chlamydia then men and when left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility or ectopic pregnancy.

Only cases reported by health departments and other federally funded entities are included in this study, so actual numbers could be much higher.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – March 17, 2009

Data Shows Rise in Teen Births for Second Year and Highest Number of Overall Births in US History

A National Center for Health Statistics report included data showing an increase in the teen birth rate (ages 15-19 years) for the second year in a role, which rose 3.4% starting in 2006 and again by 1.4% from 2006-2007, after a 14 year decline. Teen pregnancy can lead to a greater risk of medical complications and poverty for women and children. The US has the highest teen birth rate out of all industrialized nations.

Many attribute this rise to growing complacency about HIV/AIDS, as well as the failure of abstinence-only education to deter teens from engaging in sex. President Obama has responded to critics of abstinence-only education by cutting $14 million from these federally funded programs in the current budget.

Overall birth numbers for women in their 20s through those in their 40s also increased. In 2007, there were more than 4.3 million births, the highest in US history, even when compared to the 1957 baby boom. Forty-percent of all births were to unmarried women, which continues an upward trend that began in 2002.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – March 19, 2009

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School Health Center Advocacy Day and Rally
Wednesday, April 1st
Buses leave early to mid-morning from various locations
IMCHC will cover the cost of transportation and food
RSVP to Megan Erskine

IMCHC Southern Illinois Chapter Meeting
Wednesday, April 22nd
12:15pm-2:15pm
Municipal West Building
200 Potomac in Mt. Vernon
RSVP to Lilah Handler

IMCHC Central Illinois Chapter Meeting
Friday, April 24th
9am-12pm (during the South Central Perinatal Advisory Committee Meeting)
Bunn Auditorium
St. John’s Hospital in Springfield
RSVP to Lilah Handler

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School Health Center Statewide Conference
May 7th and 8th
I-Hotel in Champaign
Email Conor Butkus for more information.

 
IMCHC’s Annual Meeting and Luncheon
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 (please note revised date)
Maggiano’s Little Italy
516 N. Clark Street in Chicago
Contact Lilah Hander for more information.

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