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 Dear Colleagues,
hope you all enjoyed a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend! If the recent temperatures are any indication, we are in for a hot Illinois summer.
Although most of us were off work on Monday, the General Assembly was back in session---working on important Medicaid, TANF, and pension reform legislation, as well as the FY 2013 budget. IMCHC staff and members are also in Springfield making sure that the impact of cuts for mothers, children, and families are fully taken into consideration as negotiations continue.
A link to a more detailed analysis of the Medicaid reform legislation is below, but two of the cuts we watched closely and are most disappointed to see, are the reduction of FamilyCare eligibility from 185% to 133% FPL and the elimination of adult dental services covered under Medicaid. For a more detailed list, view our policy memo. We hope that the legislature will continue to review additional revenue sources to support the Medicaid program.
Please share stories of how these cuts affect you or the patients in your care, so we can continue to advocate on the behalf of vulnerable populations across Illinois.
Thanks,
Janine Lewis
Executive Director
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 Chicago Health Commissioner to Speak at IMCHC Annual Meeting
Please join IMCHC on Tuesday, June 5 from 11:30am-2:00pm for our Annual Meeting at Maggiano’s Little Italy (111 W. Grand Ave).
Our Keynote Speaker; Bechara Choucair, Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health; will speak on the impact of Healthy Chicago, the first city-wide comprehensive public health agenda, on maternal and child health. Healthy Chicago is a call to action for all Chicagoans to work together to make Chicago the healthiest city in the nation.
For more information or to register, please visit our website.
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With less than 48 hours left in the regularly scheduled session, the Illinois General Assembly is quickly working to approve a FY13 budget.
The House passed a budget resolution earlier this year that imposes lower spending estimates that those used by the Senate. As a result, the House is expected to propose and approve a budget that includes additional cuts to education and human services.
Last week, the General Assembly took drastic steps to reduce the Medicaid budget by $1.3 billion in FY13 costs by passing SB2840, which makes significant cuts to eligibility and covered services. The Governor is expected to sign SB2840.
To find out more about the impact of these cuts, please sign up for IMCHC’s conference call on Wednesday, June 6, where Kathy Chan, IMCHC’s Director of Policy and Advocacy will summarize SB2840 and other Medicaid-related legislation. Speakers from Health and Disability Advocates and the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law will also be available to answer questions from participants and share strategies on decreasing the negative impact of these cuts. Sign up at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/663511310.
The Supreme Court is expected to release a historic decision on the Affordable Care Act this June. Oral arguments were heard in March challenging the constitutionality of the individual mandate. The upcoming decision is sure to be one of the biggest stories of the year.
IMCHC believes that the Affordable Care Act is a critical law that must be upheld to ensure the health of our nation. We will post a statement about the decision on our website and will send an email to supporters as quickly as possible, following the announcement.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act please visit our website, where you will find our Toolkit on the Affordable Care Act, short podcasts on the benefit of the law, and a number of fact sheets.
If you would like guidance on preparing for the ruling in your own organization, please email Kathy Waligora for our talking points and other suggestions.
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For more information about our upcoming events or to find out how to RSVP visit our calendar on our website.
CAIC: Chicago Area Immunization Campaign
ICSHC: Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers
CAIC's Community Immunization Education Guide Trainings
Will be held June through July 2012.
Click here for more details and to RSVP.
IMCHC Annual Meeting & Luncheon
June 5, 2012
Click here for more information and to RSVP.
The Effects of the Medicaid Cuts that Were Passed Conference Call
June 6, 2012
Click here for more information and to RSVP.
CAIC Summer General Meeting
June 20, 2012
Click here for more details and to RSVP.
ICSHC's Cyberbullying Webinar
June 20, 2012
Click here to register.
Starting Strong for Community Health!
Webinar: The Role of Navigators in Health Reform
June 20, 2012
Click here to register.
Campaign to Save Our Mothers and Babies Meeting
June 20, 2012
Click here for more details and to RSVP.
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Why is Healthful Living so Difficult to Achieve?
A Conversation Integrating Research, Programs and Practice
We Choose Health initiative RFA
Job Announcement : Coordinator
Illinois Court Involved LGBTQ Youth Task Force
Register Today: Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Educational Conference JUNE 1 – 2, 2012
2012 ISDS Foundation Community Grant Awards
YMCA is searching for a Director of Development, Youth and Health Initiatives
A full listing of partner announcements can be found on our website.
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To become an IMCHC member today click here. | To make a donation today click here.
Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition | 1256 W. Chicago Ave. | Chicago, IL 60642 | Tel: 312.491.8161 | www.ilmaternal.org
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