August 11, 2008
 

With the November state and federal elections less than four months away, IMCHC readies itself for the new opportunities and challenges that await in Springfield and Washington, DC. Help ensure that we are ready by donating to IMCHC today.
Support our work by purchasing a ticket to our 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala, taking place on September 10th. One ticket costs $125 or purchase a table of ten for the special price of $1000 – reserve your tickets now to secure your place at the beautiful Garfield Park Conservatory.
Our benefit will once again feature a silent auction with dozens of vacation packages, electronic gadgets and gift certificates to some of Chicago’s hottest restaurants and most elegant hotels. We also have several weekend getaway packages for wineries, bed and breakfast stays and other nearby retreats.
You can also purchase ad book space for your agency/business or use this space to pay tribute to someone who has been impacted by IMCHC’s work. Our 2008 ad books will be printed in color; specs and pricing can be found on our website.

Legislative Updates

Ongoing Budget Discussions

According to the Springfield Journal-Register, Governor Blagojevich has called for legislators to return to Springfield for a two-day special session starting August 12, 2008 to discuss a capital program and education funding reform.

The Governor will ask legislators to support SB2288, a bill that increases school funding through an income tax increase. However, the Governor continues to express his opposition to an income tax increase and will instead ask legislators to find other revenue to offset the increased spending. 

According to the Governor’s spokesperson, the session is not intended for legislators to address the budget vetoes that took place earlier this summer.

Amendatory Veto Gives More Young Adults and Illinois Veterans Coverage
 
On August 6th, Governor Blagojevich announced his rewrite of House Bill 5285 to provide young adults with the option to stay on a parent’s health insurance until age 26 and to allow for Illinois Veterans to do the same until age 30. In Illinois, over 300,000 young adults aged 19 – 25 are uninsured. Twenty other states have enacted similar legislation that allows dependent young adults to get coverage.

The original bill would have allowed dependent young adults to remain on a parent’s insurance for up to one year if they became ill and were unable to maintain their full-time college student status.

In order to become law, the original House sponsor, Representative Charles Jefferson, must file a motion to accept the amendatory veto. Then, the House has 15 days to accept or reject the veto; if it is accepted, the same happens in the Senate. If the sponsor rejects the change or if either chamber does not accept the changes by a simple majority, the original bill and amendatory veto die.

Visit IMCHC’s e-advocacy center to take action and help more young adults and Veterans gain access to health care.

Recent Congressional Actions

On the federal level, Congress recently passed HR4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. This new law strengthens the Consumer Protection Safety Commission, imposes the toughest lead standards for children’s toys in the world and also bans the use of phthalates from children’s products.

Phthalates are used in products to make them softer and more pliable and have been linked to developmental and reproductive problems in children.  Several major retailers, including Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us, have already announced their plans to phase out products that carry phthalates. 

Congressman Bobby Rush of Illinois’ first district is the sponsor of this bill. It currently awaits the President’s signature.

Former Staff Update

Former IMCHC staff member, Joe Weimholt recently started as a Research and Policy Associate with the Illinois Division of Insurance. Joe’s work will focus primarily on issues of consumer protection and insurance reform. Joe looks forward to working with IMCHC members in his new role – contact him at joe.weimholt@illinois.gov.

Upcoming Faith Luncheon

The Chicago Area Immunization Campaign and the Chicago Department of Public Health invite you to attend our annual faith luncheon “Keeping Our Community Healthy:  The Importance of Adult Vaccinations.” 

Topics to be discussed include information on the flu and pneumococcal diseases and partnership efforts between public health and faith-based organizations to increase immunization rates in the community. 

The event is for faith leaders, congregation members and individuals who work on vaccine outreach and will take place at Villa Guadalupe Senior Services, Inc. at 3201 E. 91st Street on Wednesday, August 13th from 11:00am - 1:00pm. There is no cost for this event and lunch will be provided.  For more information or to RSVP email Melissa Ponce or call her at 312-491-8161x33. 

Health Care Reform Discussion

IMCHC’s Consumer Voices for Coverage project is hosting a health care discussion on Tuesday, August 19th at 1505 W. Morse Street.  Local business owners, faith leaders and residents are invited to attend from 6:30pm - 8pm to share thoughts and learn how to move forward on comprehensive health care reform in Illinois.

For more information, email Eric Quamme or contact him at 312-491-8161x25.

Archived Topics

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

• IMCHC staff updates

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Contact Representative Jefferson and urge him to accept changes that allow more young adults and Veterans coverage! 

Governor Rod Blagojevich used his amendatory veto authority to rewrite HB 5285 to allow for young adults to remain on their parent’s health coverage until age 26 and for Illinois Veterans to do the same until age 30. In order for this to become law, the House sponsor needs to accept the amendatory veto, then a simple majority is necessary to accept the change in the House and Senate.

Visit IMCHC’s e-advocacy center to contact Representative Charles Jefferson and urge him to accept the change and provide young adults and Illinois Veterans the opportunity to stay healthy.

Urge Your Congressman to Support Paid Family Leave

In a Harvard-led study of the maternity leave policies of 170 countries, the United States was found to be one of only four countries that do not offer some form of paid leave for new mothers.

The Family Leave Insurance Act of 2008 (HR5873) would create a system to provide all workers with 12 weeks of paid leave over a 12-month period to care for a new child, care for their own illness or help another family member who was sick. It would also provide paid time off for family members dealing with an exigency caused by the deployment of a member of the military. Paid leave will provide families with the support and flexibility they need, as well as help with employee retention, productivity and overall morale.

A handful of states, including California, Washington, New Jersey, have taken it into their own hands by passing some form of family and/or medical leave laws. Oregon, New York and Maryland are looking into similar legislation. Paid leave is also a policy priority of IMCHC’s newest project, the Campaign to Save Our Babies.

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Upcoming Health Fair

Alderman Toni Preckwinkle’s 4th Ward Health Fair will take place on August 16th at Martin Luther King Jr. High School at 4445 South Drexel Blvd from 10am – 3pm. IMCHC is a co-sponsor of the health fair, along with  Michael Reese Hospital, the University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago Public Schools and others. 

Chicago Public School students can receive complete school physicals including eye and ear exams. Adults and seniors will also have various health screenings and information available to them. Workshops and presentations from housing groups and banks will also take place. Contact the Alderman’s Ward Office at 773-536-8103 with questions.


“Sharing the Care” Meeting

The Arc of Illinois is sponsoring “Sharing the Care,” a meeting for families and youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses on Tuesday, September 16th. The meeting will take place from 9:30am – 3pm at Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Avenue in Chicago.
Learn more about DHS/DRS home services programs, inclusive child care, special recreation and park district programs, after-school programs, respite care and other options and resources.  Contact the Arc at 866-931-1110 for information on how to register.


Nominate an Organization for the Children’s Champion Award

Do you know of a deserving organization that is making a difference in the lives of our kids? Honor it by submitting a nomination for National City Children's Champion Award. The award is offered by Voices for Illinois Children and National City Bank, who are teaming up for the fifth year to recognize excellence in programs and services for children in Illinois.
 
Sixteen finalists will be selected for consideration for the statewide Children's Champion Award. Each finalist will receive $1,000, and the 2008 Children's Champion will receive a $10,000 grant.
 
The deadline for submitting nominations is Aug. 22. Winners will be announced at the Voices for Illinois Children Kids Count Awards Dinner on Nov. 6, 2008. Visit us online and learn how you can nominate an organization.

New Pennsylvania Law Requires Private Health Insurance to Cover Autism Treatments

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed into effect a law that requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage and treatment for children under the age of 21 who have autism. Coverage is capped at $36,000/year, but children needing treatments above this amount would then be eligible for state Medicaid reimbursement to help cover the extra expenses. An estimated $13 million is expected to be saved by the state in the first year of implementation. 

Health plans that provide coverage to employers with less than 50 employees will be exempt. The law is scheduled to take effect July 2009.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – July 25, 2008

House Votes to Extend Medical Leave Coverage for College Students

The House approved a bill (HR2851) that would allow college students to continue coverage under their parent’s health insurance if they had to leave school for a medical reason*. The bill now moves to a Senate subcommittee for consideration.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – August 1, 2008

*See legislative updates at the top of the newsletter for updates on a similar law in Illinois.

More Post-Partum Women Experience PTSD than Previously Thought

“New Mothers Speak Out,”a recent study conducted by Childbirth Connection showed that nearly one in ten women who gave birth in the United States experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their childbirth experience.
PTSD is better known to have been linked to individuals who have returned from active combat or who have witnessed violent events, but some medical experts say that it can also be triggered by having a traumatic birth experience, such as a complicated labor or excessive medical interventions during childbirth. However, PTSD is considered to be less common compared to post-partum depression, which occurs in an estimated 15% of new mothers.
Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – August 5, 2008

Federal Bill Would Allow Small Businesses to Form Insurance Purchasing Pools

The Small Business Health Options Program (HR6210) would allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to pool together to purchase health insurance.
The legislation would provide small businesses with maximum tax credits of $1,000/employee or $2,000/family, as long as the business covered more than 60% of the cost of workers’ premium costs; self-employed individuals would be allowed even higher tax credits. Insurance companies would also be restricted from raising premiums if an employee became ill or filed more claims.

According to one of the bill’s co-sponsors, small businesses pay about 18% more than large companies for the same level of health insurance; also, small business owners, employees and their dependents make up more than 28 million of the 47 million uninsured US residents. There are currently 45 House co-sponsors on this bill.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – August 8, 2008

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Chicago Area Immunization Campaign’s Annual Faith Luncheon
Wednesday, August 13th
11am – 1pm
Villa Guadalupe Senior Services, Inc.
3201 E. 91st Street in Chicago
RSVP to Melissa Ponce

Rogers Park Health Care Reform Discussion
Tuesday, August 19th
6:30pm – 8pm
1505 W. Morse Street
Anyone interested in health care reform is welcome to attend.
RSVP to Eric Quamme


IMCHC's 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala



Tickets are $125/person or $1,000 for a table of ten. Ad book and tribute space is also available for sale. Please email Lilah Handler or visit www.ilmaternal.org for more information.


IMCHC Chicago Area Chapter Meeting
Wednesday, September 17th
1pm-4pm (note the additional hour alloted for the film screening)
Metropolitan Family Services
1 N. Dearborn, 10th Floor in Chicago
We plan to screen a segment of Unnatural Causes, the PBS documentary that illustrates the connections between race, wealth and health.
RSVP to Lilah Handler


Macy’s “Shop for a Cause” Day
Saturday, September 20th
All day during Macy store operating hours and online at www.macys.com
Macy’s will donate $5 to IMCHC for each shopping pass purchased. Passes are good for up to a 20% discount on most regular, sale and clearance items. Some restrictions apply.
Contact Kathy Chan to purchase the $5 shopping passes or for more information.

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IMCHC Southern Illinois Chapter Meeting and Legislative Luncheon
Co-hosted by the Southern Illinois Perinatal Program and others from the Southern Illinois region
Wednesday, October 22nd
9am – 2pm*
Rend Lake Resort
11712 East Windy Lane in Whittington
RSVP to Lilah Handler
*Chapter and program updates will take place from 9am-11am. Legislators will be attending the luncheon, which will start at 11:30am.

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