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 Dear Colleagues,
The year seems to be moving along so fast! November is upon us, and we have a number of activities planned for Prematurity Awareness Month, including a series of neonatal intensive care unit tours for legislators and other decision-makers, a Prematurity Task Force webinar on 11/8, and a Prematurity Caucus event in Springfield during veto session. A special thanks to the March of Dimes Illinois Chapter for their collaboration in planning and hosting these events.
One in eight babies are born preterm (before 37 completed weeks’ gestation), and we know that infants born too early are at risk for physical and developmental disabilities. Additionally, the emotional and financial costs to families and businesses continue to climb, and persistent racial/ethnic health disparities exist, with almost 1 in 5 African-American infants born too soon.
During November, we will also be sharing mini-interview videos from our recent Infant and Maternal Mortality Summit, to help you to reflect on what you can do at work and at home to reduce the number of premature infants born in our state. You can watch the first video, featuring Illinois Department of Public Health Director, Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck online.
Please share--What are you doing to reduce premature birth in your communities, and to support families with premature infants?
Sincerely,
Janine Lewis
P.S. Election day is TUESDAY, 11/6. Please make sure to vote then or earlier. You can find information about early polling places in the next section of this newsletter.
Sincerely,
Janine Lewis
Executive Director
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 Are You Registered?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. In addition to the presidential election, voters will also be choosing members of the Illinois House and Senate, as well as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
You can vote early in Illinois from now until November 3. You do not need a reason to vote early and you can do so from many locations outside of your normal polling place on Election Day. For more information visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
The issue of health care, especially the Affordable Care Act, has taken a very prominent role in the presidential election. The Commonwealth Fund has compiled a report which compares the Obama and Romney plans for health care. We hope this report will shed some light on this important issue as the election cycle reaches its pinnacle.
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The fall veto session is scheduled to take place November 27-29 and December 4-6. If you are not a part of IMCHC’s Action Network, please sign up today. We will send you an email when your action can have the greatest impact!
 Early Implementation of New Medicaid in Cook County
Earlier this year, the Cook County Health and Hospital Systems submitted an 1115 waiver to the federal government to provide early-Medicaid coverage to low-income adults who would otherwise not be eligible for Medicaid until January 1, 2014. This waiver was approved on Friday, October 26.
Early implementation of Medicaid coverage will allow for approximately 100,000 adults with income less than 133% FPL (an annual income of about $14,800 for an individual) to be eligible for coverage that includes primary care, prescription drugs, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, and mental health services.
IMCHC will keep our members updated about the enrollment process and other information about the waiver implementation. A fact sheet about the waiver can be found on the Illinois Health Matters website.
Medicaid Advisory Committee Forms New Access Subcommittee
The Medicaid Advisory Committee’s (MAC) new Access Subcommittee is expected to announce the date of their first official meeting soon. MAC advises the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) on policy and planning related to the health and medical services provided under the department's Medical Programs including Medical Assistance, All Kids and FamilyCare, pursuant to federal Medicaid requirements.
The Access Subcommittee is established to advise the MAC concerning strategies for ensuring that populations covered under HFS’s Medical Assistance programs have timely access to quality care that meets their needs without discrimination. The special focus of the Access subcommittee is addressing health care disparities because of race/ethnicity or socio-economic status. This committee will provide opportunities for the public to provide input into HFS’s decision about the coverage package for those newly eligible for Medicaid in 2014.
IMCHC’s Director of Policy and Advocacy Kathy Chan, serves as the Vice Chair of the MAC and also serves on several of the subcommittees, including the new Access Subcommittee; feel free to contact her with any questions. You can get more information about the Access Subcommittee, including meeting minutes and a member listing, here. You can also sign up to receive notification of MAC and MAC Subcommittee meetings here.
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The passage of the Affordable Care Act eliminates some of the biggest obstacles to obtaining quality health care. But a lack of education and awareness about what the law does still stands in the way of connecting individuals with coverage options. IMCHC takes on the issue and makes a case for nonprofits to lead the way in ACA education and outreach in our latest blog post.
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For more information about our upcoming events or to find out how to RSVP visit our calendar on our website.
Lake County Chapter Meeting
Nov. 7
3:00-5:00pm
Lake County Health Department
3010 W. Grand Ave, Waukegan
Register online
Information and Inspiration: The Importance of Flu Vaccination Webinar
Nov. 8
12:00-1:00pm
Register online
ICSHC Chicago Regional Meeting
Nov. 9
1:00-5:00pm
Chicago Urban League
4510 S. Michigan, Chicago
Email Anna Burnham to RSVP
Central Area Chapter Meeting
Nov 13.
2:00-4:00pm
Illinois Public Health Association
233 S. Third St, Springfield
Register online
IPIHN NICU Tour
Nov 13.
9:30-11:00am
St. Elizabeth's Hospital
211 S. Third St, Belleville
Register online
Starting Strong for Community Health Webinar: The ACA and Persons with Disabilities
Nov. 13
3:00-4:00pm
Register online
Leadership by Example:
Idealists Creating Change
Nov. 14
5:45pm
Roosevelt University
430 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago
Click here for more information
Ask the Psychiatrist Webinar
Nov. 14
3:00-4:00pm
Register online
Campaign to Save Our Mothers and Babies
Nov. 14
1:00-3:00pm
Lawndale Christian Health Center
3750 W. Ogden Ave, Chicago
Register online
IPIHN NICU Tour
Nov. 14
9:00-10:30am
Prentice Women's Hospital
250 E. Superior Street, Chicago
Register online
IPIHN NICU Tour
Nov. 27
9:00am
St. Johns Children's Hospital
800 E. Carpenter St, Springfield
Register online
ACLU ENGAGE:
Together, Imagine What We Can Do Next
Dec. 1
8:30am-4:30pm
Venue SIX10
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Register online
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IPIHI is looking to hire five new staff members
ICIRR Hiring Health Care Organizer and Trainer
Health Disparities & Social Justice Conference
Chicago Volunteer Doulas is looking for a Program Director (Part Time)
Job Alert: Youth Initiatives Coordinator
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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