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Governor Quinn Signed Medicaid Reform Bill

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

January 25, 2011
Dear Neighbors,

Today: Governor Quinn Signed Medicaid Reform Bill

Today the Governor signed the bi-partisan comprehensive Medicaid reform bill that was negotiated by me and Senator Dale Righter (R, Matoon), my co-chair of the Senate’s Special Committee on Medicaid Reform. This new law will both improve health outcomes for the 2.8 million Medicaid recipients in Illinois and reduce costs for the State. Since Medicaid accounts for one-third of the State’s General Revenue Fund budget, bringing these costs under control is critical to addressing our State’s fiscal crisis. Elements of this bill include:

· Expanding coordinated care programs to cover 50% of Medicaid recipients within 4 years (currently only 150,000 of the 2.8 million people on Medicaid are in managed care programs);

· Tightening the integrity of the eligibility process and increasing civil penalties for recipients who abuse the system to control fraud and abuse;

· Reducing costs of prescription drugs by maximizing co-payments, reducing payments to pharmacies, an requiring pre-authorization of certain drug classes;

· Creating a long-term care budget that will promote moving patients out of large institutions into home and community based settings;

· Establishing an income limit for enrollees of All Kids to 300% of the federal poverty level; and

· Phasing out the practice of allowing unpaid bills from one budget year to be paid out of the following budget year’s appropriation.

You can read the entire bill here for further details.

SIGNING OF THE ILLINOIS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PROTECTION AND CIVIL UNION ACT (SB1716)

It was truly an honor to be a part of passing the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (SB1716). With this law, Illinois joins the handful of U.S. states that have expanded recognition and rights to all families. I encourage you to attend the signing of this historic legislation.

WHEN: January 31, 2011 @ 4pm

WHERE: Chicago Cultural Center

78 East Washington Street

Chicago, Illinois 60601

ADDITIONAL: Members of the public are invited to witness this historic occasion. As space is limited, RSVP’s to gov.civilunionsrsvp@illinois.gov are encouraged. Guests without an RSVP will be seated as space is available.

Best Regards,

Heather Steans

State Senator-7^th District

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Posted in Healthcare, Human Rights, Newsletter

Care of Students with Diabetes Act

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Dear neighbor,

I am pleased to let you know that the Care of Students with Diabetes Act (HB6065), which I sponsored in the Senate, has passed each chamber and now moves to the Governor for his signature. You can read the bill here or read the Tribune’s report about the bill here.

The passage of this bill is a tremendous victory for parents of children with diabetes across the state, led by Suzanne Elder, who have tirelessly advocated to pass this legislation for over 7 years. Suzanne’s efforts to create an impressive coalition of parents and organizations that care about this issue at last won over tough interest groups that lobbied against the bill. Her work on this issue is an inspiring story for those grassroots advocates who want to make a difference in Springfield.

The bill will enable children with diabetes to get the care they need in school, without their parents having to quit their jobs to manage their children’s health, as happens now too regularly. Children who are old enough and able can now self-manage their diabetes at any school in the state. For those children who cannot self-administer and who are located in schools without a nurse, their parents or guardians can identify a volunteer at the school (teacher or staff) to become the child’s delegated care aid. This volunteer (no one can be compelled to volunteer) will receive professional training on how to help the child manage his or her diabetes according the child’s diabetes care plan. This law is an important step towards protecting the health and lives of students with diabetes in Illinois.

Future e-mails will include additional updates about legislation that I have worked on during this session or you can read more by clicking here. Please contact me at hsteans@senatedem.ilga.gov or 773-769-1717 if you have any questions about the Care of Students with Diabetes bill or any other legislation.

Best,

Heather A. Steans
State Senator

Posted in Education, Healthcare, Legislation

State public health director, Conference of Women Legislators and American Heart Association raise awareness of heart disease

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

February 24, 2010

Go Red to Raise Awareness of the Number One Killer in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – During American Heart Month, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, today joined the American Heart Association and Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) in the Capitol Blue Room to help raise awareness about heart disease. Legislators in attendance were able to get a pulse on their health by testing out the My Life Check Web site.

Heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and women account for almost 53 percent of all heart disease deaths according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, one in every four women dies of heart disease. The latest statistics show that in 2007, more than 13,000 women in Illinois died from heart disease. In 2008, more than 155,000 women were told they had a heart attack.

“To help prevent heart disease, we know we need to eat a heart healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking and control other health concerns such as diabetes. We need to encourage these healthy habits and try to reduce the chances of women in our lives developing heart disease,” said Dr. Arnold. “Together, we can help promote heart disease awareness and heart healthy living.”

“We want to reach out to women to teach them the warning signs of heart disease and the risk factors, to help them live longer, stronger, healthier lives,” American Heart Association volunteer and national television commentator Laura Schwartz said. “We have all been touched by heart disease in some way, and American Heart Month is the perfect time to educate ourselves and our family and friends on how to prevent this number one killer of women.”

During the event, legislators had the opportunity to test and demonstrate the My Life Check Web site (http://mylifecheck.heart.org), a tool designed by the American Heart Association and aimed at improving health by educating the public on how best to live. The Web site features a three to five minute assessment that will help users understand their current level of cardiovascular health, assess their individual health needs, help them to commit to steps to improve their health and quality of life, and move closer to personal health goals.

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“More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combine, including all forms of cancer. I want to urge everyone, especially women, to learn about the signs, symptoms and treatments for heart disease, as well as the steps they can take to ensure good heart health,” said Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn) and co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators.

“We must work together – legislators, doctors, health departments and more – to raise awareness of heart disease. I encourage everyone to join millions of people across the country working together to raise awareness of the number one killer in Illinois and in the U.S.,” said Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators.”

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Read the Full Press Release Here

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Posted in Healthcare, Press Release