Policy Agenda 2012

 

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Educate. Implement. Improve.


The Affordable Care Act (federal health reform) is now a reality. While many private insurance reforms and expansions of public programs are not set to begin until 2014, it is critical that Illinois is actively planning for required eligibility and system changes, as well as offering information to residents about the changes in store.

  • Support state legislation that contributes to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
  • Provide education to IMCHC stakeholders, members, and the general public about the law.
  • Ensure that a comprehensive range of benefits for women, including the full range of reproductive health services, are included in insurance products offered both inside and outside of the Exchange marketplace.
  • Promote a Navigator outreach program that includes All Kids Application Agents and others who can provide cultural and linguistically-appropriate services to those newly eligible for Medicaid and subsidies through the Exchange.
  • Oppose federal efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.


Expand access to care through School Health Centers.

  • Protect state funding for school health centers.
  • Advocate for new funding to support existing school health centers and fund new school health centers.
    • Monitor the RFP process for the $3 million in the state capital plan to support new and existing centers.
    • Work with new and existing school health centers to maximize their opportunities to access federal funding.
    • Ensure that Licensed Clinical Social Workers in school health centers are eligible to reimburse for services under new legislation.
  • Advocate for relevant and helpful adolescent health legislation.
    • Support implementation of recommendations from the School Health Taskforce.
    • Advocate for tobacco prevention policies, especially those involving students.
    • Support the inclusion of comprehensive sexual health education in K-12 schools.
    • Protect and preserve mental health services for children and adolescents.


Reduce racial health disparities in maternal and infant mortality.

In order to reduce health disparities, IMCHC will work to implement recommendations from our “Emma Report”.

  • Engage in activities of the Illinois Asset Building Group to strengthen the financial stability of families through asset ownership and development.
  • Mobilize community members to support efforts for comprehensive sexual health education.
  • Work with the Commission to End Disparities Facing African American Communities to promote solutions from the Campaign to Save Our Mothers and Babies meetings, summits, and reports.
  • Work with hospitals to reduce the rate of medically unnecessary elective cesarean sections before 39 weeks.

Reduce the number of premature births, while supporting caregivers of premature infants and ensuring that premature infants receive high-quality, continuous care.

  • Implement Public Act 96-1117 (SB3273), which requires IDPH to post education information about the risks and special needs of premature infants, as well as collect hospital discharge data to analyze readmission rates of premature infants.
  • Investigate the addition of a newborn screening tool for heart defects.
  • Review the Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Report System (APORS) to determine whether additional criteria are necessary to add to APORS in order to ensure that any infant who needs follow-up care can receive these services.


Access to immunizations

Immunization rates for children and adults have reached an all time high, yet there is still much work to be done to reach the Healthy People 2020 Goal of 90%. IMCHC will:

  • Support efforts for HL7 integration so that providers with electronic medical records in place can transfer existing immunization data into ICARE.
  • Ensure the ICARE remains a priority for statewide Health Information Technology implementation.
  • Work to ensure for the effective integration of Cornerstone data into ICARE.
  • Protect federal 317 funding, emergency preparedness funding, and the Prevention and Public Health Fund, all of which provide support towards immunization services and education.


Breastfeeding promotion

  • Create incentives for birthing hospitals to adopt “Baby-Friendly” (breastfeeding-friendly) steps.
  • Increase the hospital response rate to the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey.
  • Advocate for a hospital-based quality-improvement initiative to improve breastfeeding rates.



Other priorities:

  • Monitor the implementation of state Medicaid reform measures and ensure that no further cuts to eligibility or additional documentation requirements take place for Medicaid, FamilyCare, or All Kids.
  • Work to extend the grandfather period of children enrolled in All Kids above 300% FPL, particularly for those children with pre-existing conditions and infants less than a year old.
  • Increase oral health infrastructure and capacity in Illinois and promote the importance of good oral health, especially for kids and pregnant women.