May 12, 2008
Note: Maternal and Child Health News will publish its next issue on June 2nd
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As we approach the month of June, we encourage you to reserve a seat for IMCHC’s 20th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Luncheon, taking place on June 10th at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Chicago.
Our keynote presenter will be author and journalist, Jennifer Block, whose book Pushed: The Painful Truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care has received critical acclaim, including recognition as “A Best Consumer Health Book of 2007” by the Library Journal and “A Best of Book of 2007” by Kirkus Reviews.
In Pushed, Ms. Block presents a full picture of maternity care in America. She traveled the country to witness several births (from a planned cesarean to an underground home birth) and to report the experiences of women today. She finds that:
• More than half of women who give birth in the U.S. are given drugs to induce or speed up labor.
• For nearly a third of mothers, childbirth is major surgery: the cesarean section.
• For women who want to avoid the hospital, the alternatives can be hard to come by, unaffordable, or even illegal.
Luncheon tickets are $30 for IMCHC members and $35 for non-members. Download a brochure from IMCHC’s website or contact Lilah Handler at 312-491-8161 for more information. |
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| IMCHC ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Last Chance to Register for the Statewide School Health Center Conference
This year’s exciting conference Collaboration, Community, Commitment will take place in Springfield on May 15th and 16th. The conference will feature School Health Centers 101, a pre-Conference for new and emerging school health centers, a Youth Panel featuring the Illinois Coalition for School Health Center’s (ICSHC) first Youth Advisory Council and workshops for medical and mental health providers and clinic administrators. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers in their field and receive the most up-to-date information in child and adolescent health.
Please visit IMCHC’s website to view the conference brochure and to register online; contact Drew Guzman with questions about the conference or call 312-491-8161.
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Upcoming Health Care Advocacy Opportunity
IMCHC is partnering with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Campaign for Better Health Care for a Health Care for All Advocacy Day in Springfield on Wednesday, May 21st. Our goal is to make access to health care a priority for Illinois legislators.
Anyone is welcome to attend and participate in this advocacy day. Fill out a brief online survey to register for this event; you can also email Eric Quamme or call him at 312-491-8161x25 for more information on how to get involved.
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Archived Topics
Visit our newsletter archive to read about recently listed articles from past issues. Past topics include:
• Join IMCHC or renew your membership today
• ICSHC Annual Conference
• Nominate someone for the Loretta Lacey Advocacy Award
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| Take Action! |
Urge your State Representative to support SB385 and safe out-of-hospital births!
Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are nationally credentialed and professionally trained midwives who have experience managing out-of-hospital births. However, CPMs are not currently allowed licensure in Illinois and cannot practice legally in Illinois. Without licensing, families have no protection, no recourse and no access to collaborative care.
SB385 would open the doors for the families of Illinois who choose out-of-hospital births to be safely attended by trained professionals who specialize in this type of birthing experience. Currently, 22 other states including Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, Florida, Virginia, Texas and Vermont, allow for CPMs to be licensed professionals, providing evidence-based maternity care in a collaborative environment.
Visit IMCHC’s website to send an email to your Representative and urge him/her to vote for SB385.
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Ask Your State Legislator to Support SHCs in the FY09 Budget
School health centers are a critical source of care for students across the state. Forty-nine Illinois school health centers provide quality health care services that help students succeed in school.
In 2007, 40 school health centers reported providing services to more than 103,000 children and adolescents in 15 counties across the state. With increased state funding, additional centers could be opened, providing many more young people access to basic medical care.
Visit IMCHC’s Advocacy Center to send an email to your state legislator to ask for the inclusion of $3 million in the FY09 budget to help expand the school health model in Illinois.
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Support Federal Authorization for SHCs
The School-Based Health Center Establishment Act (HR4230) was introduced in Congress in November 2007. Similar to S600, it would establish the first federal grant program for school health centers. Illinois Congressman Jan Schakowsky has signed on as an original co-sponsor of the bill, and Congressman Rahm Emanuel signed on in December, but additional House support is necessary.
Contact your local Congressman and encourage them to sign on. For more information about HR4230 or to contact your Congressman, visit the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care’s website or contact Blair Harvey, ICSHC Project Director.
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| Partner Announcements |
Free Health Care Movie Screening - Saturday, May 17th
Join the Campaign for Better Health Care (CBHC) at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downer’s Grove for a free screening of Critical Condition, a documentary addressing the plight of America's uninsured, followed by a discussion with health care advocates.
The event runs from 9am-12pm and a light breakfast will be served. Advocate Good Samaritan is located at 3815 Highland Ave. To RSVP, please contact Lydia Wright, with CBHC at 312-913-9449.
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“Building Oral Health Capacity” RFP Now Available
The Illinois Children’s Health Care Foundation is seeking proposals for projects designed to increase the access underserved Illinois children have to regular oral health services in primary care settings. Funds may be requested for the establishment of new services, expansion of existing services in primary care settings, or a community-wide planning process.
Applicants must currently be directly providing ongoing primary care services to children or have a formal collaborative arrangement with a primary care provider for those services.
Applications are due June 20th, 2008. For more information about the online application process, visit the ICHCF’s website.
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“Leadership By Example” Lecture – Featuring Carmen Velasquez of Alivio Medical Center
This summer, The Schweitzer Fellowship is launching a series of lectures by exemplary community leaders who will talk about their lives in public service.
The first lecture in this series will take place on Tuesday, June 17th at Loyola University in Chicago, 111 E. Pearson Street, 13th floor. Carmen Velasquez, founder of Alivio Medical Center, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary serving the Pilsen/Little Village Community will be the featured speaker.
The series and following reception is open to the public and free of charge, but seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. Discounted parking is available near the venue. RSVP to rsvp@hmprg.org or call 312-372-4292.
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Baby Oral Health Program Materials Online
The Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed an educational program for general dental offices titled Baby Oral Health Program (BOHP). As part of this program, an infant and toddler oral health kit has been developed to provide the entire dental team with the necessary background information, technique demonstration and educational materials to begin an effective BOHP.
The materials for the program are available from the BOHP website. For additional information or questions, contact Rocio Quinonez, Clinical Assistant Professor at 919-966-2739.
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Illinois Public Health Institute Conference – October 14-15
The Illinois Public Health Institute is pleased to announce the upcoming conference, "Partners In Action - Improving Health Outcomes in Illinois: What Works” to be held at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, October 14-15, 2008.
The conference will include three plenary sessions and an opportunity to participate in three top-notch workshops which include the following tracks: Strategic Partnerships; Innovative Approaches and Best Practices; Translating Science and Evaluation Results; and Emerging Issues and Hot Topics.
For additional information, visit the IPHI website or contact Laurie Call at LLC1185@msn.com. |
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| News in Brief |
Number of Uninsured U.S. Residents Projected To Rise by 1.1M for Each Percentage Point Increase in Unemployment Rate
For every one point rise in the U.S. unemployment rate, the number of uninsured is projected to increase by 1.1 million people, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis released on April 29th.
The report also examined the effect that a one-percentage-point rise in the national unemployment rate would have on state Medicaid and SCHIP programs. In addition to the increase in the number of uninsured, the analysis projects that for every percentage-point increase in unemployment:
- Medicaid and SCHIP enrollment would increase by 600,000 children and by 400,000 nonelderly adults;
- Enrollment jumps in Medicaid and SCHIP would cost an additional $3.4 billion, of which $1.4 billion states would be required to pay; and
- State general fund revenues would drop by 3% to 4%, likely leading to budget cuts.
According to the researchers, "Because of state balanced-budget requirements, Medicaid and other assistance is most likely to be cut when state residents have the greatest need for help." Dozens of states are forecasting budget deficits for FY09 and cuts to Medicaid or SCHIP programs have been proposed in 13 states.
Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Reports - April 29th
Maine Governor Signs Law Allowing Midwives Access to Certain Medications
According to the Bangor Daily News, Maine Governor John Baldacci has signed into law a bill (LD 2253) that gives state pharmacists the authority to provide certified professional midwives with certain medications for pregnant women and infants for administration during home births.
Baldacci's directive aims to create a process for verifying midwives' credentials, a system of recording and reporting what drugs are sold to midwives, and a process for midwives to report when they administer the drugs to their patients.
Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women's Health Policy Report - April 28th
Study Finds Link Between C-Sections and Strokes
A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology concludes that cesarean section delivery is a significant risk factor for stroke during the 3-12 month postpartum period. The research team finds that C-Section delivery should be added to the list of risk factors for stroke in women that also includes hypertension, smoking and obesity.
Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Senate Democrats Attach Medicaid Moratoriums to War Supplemental
Senate Democrats have added language to a war spending measure that would block seven new Medicaid regulations from taking effect until next year. The same language is included in a Medicaid bill (HR 5613) approved by the House.
The seven rule changes at issue aim to restrict services covered by some states' case management plans; limit Medicaid reimbursement to public hospitals; narrow federal Medicaid reimbursement eligibility for outpatient hospital services; bar federal reimbursement for transportation to school and school-based care for Medicaid-eligible children; restrict the types of "rehabilitative" services covered by federal funding; reduce federal Medicaid reimbursement for students at teaching hospitals; and limit taxes some states charge health providers.
Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report May 7, 2008
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| Upcoming Events |
CANCELLED - Chicago Area IMCHC Membership Meeting
Originally scheduled for May 14th at Metropolitan Family Services
Please direct any questions to Lilah Handler, IMCHC Office Manager
Immunization Toolkit Training Sessions
Chicago Area Immunization Campaign/Chicago Department of Public Health
May 30th at IMCHC’s office
1256 W. Chicago Avenue
RSVP to Melissa Ponce, CAIC Project Associate
IMCHC Annual Meeting and Luncheon – 20th Anniversary Kickoff
June 10th at Maggiano’s Little Italy
516 N. Clark Street in Chicago
Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members
Reserve your tickets online or by emailing Lilah Handler or calling her at 312-491-8161
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| Save these Dates! |
IMCHC 20th Anniversary Benefit
September 10th at the Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago
If you are interested in sponsorship or host committee opportunities,
please contact Lilah Handler.
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