Seniors and Nursing Home Providers Concerned about State Senate Candidate Neil Anderson's Pledge to Cut Medicaid

QUAD CITIES, ILL. October 14, 2014- The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI), a leading voice for nursing home communities, brought together State Representative Patrick J. Verschoore (D-Milan), seniors, and nursing home residents and providers today to fight for adequate Medicaid funding. The news conference at Rock Island Nursing & Rehabilitation Center urged State Senate candidate Neil Anderson to answer why he plans to cut Medicaid funding to care for frail, vulnerable seniors living in nursing homes.

"In 2011, the state legislature restructured the entire Medicaid program, including funding for nursing home residents.  " Pat Comstock, executive director of Health Care Council of Illinois, said. "Any arbitrary cuts to Medicaid, like those promised by Neil Anderson, means our residents will suffer. Illinois can't balance the budget on the backs of nursing home residents with Medicaid. We can't stand by when frail, elderly nursing home residents are at risk of being denied critical, life-sustaining medical services."

HCCI and other nursing home provider associations have worked with Representative Verschoore and State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) during the last several years to create policies that support quality care for nursing home residents. Both know cuts to Medicaid lead to job losses in the community. More than 1,700 people are employed at nursing homes in Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties full time, and many more than that work part time. Neil Anderson's campaign promises puts those jobs in jeopardy.

"When I heard Neal Anderson say he wants to cut Medicaid, I was stunned. It shows a lack of understanding and knowledge of the issues, and his lack of experience in issues important to our community," State Representative Patrick J. Verschoore said. "Nursing home residents are our most valued citizens. They built our community, raised families, worked hard and served our county. If we arbitrarily cut Medicaid before looking for other ways to cut costs, we would be abandoning senior citizens in their time of need. It's simply unconscionable."

Nursing home residents and other senior citizens in the community attended the event, as well as staff from Rock Island Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. They are concerned about State Senate candidate Neil Anderson's campaign promise to make cuts to the state's Medicaid program.

"We have people who come here for a few months for rehab before they return home, and we have residents who will spend the rest of their lives here. Regardless of the length of their stay, our residents consider this place their home," Elizabeth Webster, administrator at Rock Island Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, said. "Many of our residents who currently have Medicaid originally entered our nursing home with insurance or as private pay. After their personal resources were exhausted, they transition to Medicaid to make sure they continue to get the care they need. We can't kick them out on the street when they can no longer pay for their care."

There are approximately 1,500 nursing home residents in this area. More than 50 percent of those residents rely on Medicaid to pay for their care. Of those who call Rock Island Nursing and Rehabilitation Center their home, 91 percent have Medicaid. Cuts would affect the whole nursing home community. It impacts our ability to have quality food, quality staff and quality surroundings. All these elements are key to quality care and to create a home-like environment.

Candidate Neil Anderson must explain his campaign pledge to arbitrarily cut Medicaid. We must have elected officials like Representative Verschoore and Senator Jacobs who understand the issues important to nursing home residents.

The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) is an association of more than 270 skilled nursing and rehab facilities committed to quality residential health care in Illinois through a productive and responsible partnership between the private and public sectors. 

Moline, IL- October 14, 2014 - The Coast2Coast Rx Card program has saved $5,844,553.71 dollars since the launch of the Coast2Coast Rx Card discount prescription program in May 2010 with the endorsement of the Rock Island County Board.

The free discount prescription card program provides residents and their families with a number of benefits that produce immediate discounts on prescriptions as well as dental, vision, veterinary and hearing services.  The discount card also offers discounts on various lab and imaging services; diabetes supplies and equipment as well as pet prescriptions.  Not only does the Coast2Coast Rx program facilitate discounts on healthcare resources for Rock Island County residents and their families -- the program provides a royalty of $1.25 per prescription for Rock Island County public programs.

"We are pleased to work with Rock Island County, which prides itself on providing programs that enrich the lives of its residents, in assisting its families with beneficial discounts on health related needs.  It is of utmost importance to the Rock Island County Board and the Coast2Coast Rx program to help those in need of obtaining prescriptions and other health care related services," said Martin Dettelbach, Chief Marketing Officer of the Coast2Coast Rx program.  He added, " We look forward to continuing and growing our relationship with Rock Island County and maintaining savings on health services for Rock Island County families."

The Coast2Coast Rx card allows all consumers, regardless of income, age, or health status to participate in the program and save on the cost of their medications.  The program has saved cardholders throughout the nation an average of 60% in 2014 on the cost of prescription drugs. The Rx card is distributed free of charge and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in Illinois and includes over 60,000 drugs in its formulary. Anyone in Illinois can download a card of their county or any nearby county to use the card at all chain pharmacies and many independent pharmacies.

To print a free card and start saving on prescriptions, Rock Island County residents should visit www.coast2coastrx.com or call 1-800-931-8872 to learn more about the discounts offered.

At a time when we most want to look and feel our best, we seem to do everything possible to ensure we don't, says cardiologist Dr. William Davis.

"The weather starts to change and we reach for the pumpkin-spice cookies, cider doughnuts and beer, which launches us into processed carbohydrates season," says Dr. Davis, author of "Wheat Belly Total Health," (www.wheatbellyblog.com), the latest in his bestselling "Wheat Belly" series.

"They make us tired and sluggish when we especially need energy as we prepare for all the fun stuff and preparation that lead up to Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hannukah, and they cause us to gain weight, which we immediately pledge to shed come New Year's."

People have been taught that the refined, processed carbohydrates in foods like white rice, white bread and traditionally baked goods are "bad carbs." We're told we'll be healthier, happier and slimmer if we get stick to the "good carbs" in fruits, nuts and whole grains.

Not true, Dr. Davis says - at least in the case of grains.

"Grasses and grains like wheat are a great food source for goats, cows and the like," he says. "But humans have a different digestive process and different nutritional needs. Grasses are not only responsible for unwanted weight gain, but also more serious conditions, including Crohn's disease and other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. We just weren't meant to eat them."

That doesn't mean you have to do without your favorite treats during the holidays. Just make them a different way.

He offers these recipes:

•  Pumpkin Spice Muffins (makes 12):
2 cups ground almonds
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup ground golden flaxseed
Sweetener such as Truvia or stevia extract equivalent to 3/4 cup sucrose
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
Dash of fine sea salt
1 can (15 ounces) unsweetened pumpkin puree
1/2 cup sour cream or canned coconut milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup walnut oil
melted coconut oil or extra-light olive oil.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin. Stir together the almond meal, walnuts, flaxseed, sweetener, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir together the pumpkin, sour cream or coconut milk, eggs, and oil in another large bowl. Stir the pumpkin mixture into the almond meal mixture and mix thoroughly. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling them about half full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in a muffin comes out dry, about 45 minutes. Cool the muffins in the pans 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

•  Wheat-free Cauliflower Mushroom Dressing:
1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1 pound loose ground pork sausage
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
1 head cauliflower
1 green pepper, chopped
4-ounce can/jar roasted red peppers
8 ounces Portabella mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons ground golden flaxseed
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1 teaspoon ground tarragon
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring approximately 12 ounces water to a boil in sauce pan. Toss in porcini mushrooms and turn heat down to maintain below boiling. Stir every couple of minutes for 20 minutes. In deep sauce pan, sauté sausage in 1 tablespoon olive oil, along with celery and onions, until sausage is cooked. Drain excess oil. Place saucepan back on low heat. Break cauliflower into small florets and add to sausage mix. Toss in drained porcini mushrooms along with approximately 4 ounces of the porcini broth, remainder of olive oil, green pepper, roasted red peppers, Portabella mushrooms and flaxseed. Add onion powder, sage, thyme, tarragon, salt and black pepper and stir. Transfer to baking dish and place in oven. Bake for 45 minutes.

About Dr. William Davis

William Davis, MD is a cardiologist and author of several books that have sold more than 2 million copies, including the No.1 New York Times bestseller "Wheat Belly." He has appeared on major national media including the Dr. Oz Show, CBS This Morning, National Public Radio, and Live! with Kelly.. Davis has built a substantial online presence on his Wheat Belly Blog, (www.wheatbellyblog.com), with more than 300,000 visits per month. He is a graduate of the St. Louis University School of Medicine, with training in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease at the Ohio State University Hospitals. A Case Western Reserve University Hospitals, he served as Director of the Cardiovascular Fellowship and Assistant Professor of Medicine.

25,000-Square-Foot Expansion Will Allow Tech Hub to Continue to Grow and Create Jobs

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman to officially open a major expansion of the innovative digital startup hub. The $2.5 million expansion, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), will increase 1871's current size by 50 percent and create space for alumni companies, venture capital firms and several incubators, accelerators and programs. In total, the new space will allow 1871 to house approximately 400 companies within The Merchandise Mart. The announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"The growth of our technology and innovation sectors are helping to drive Illinois' comeback," Governor Quinn said. "Since its inception, 1871 and its alumni companies have created more than 1,000 jobs, and this new space will allow the hub to expand and create more high-tech companies and good jobs right here in Illinois." 

The expansion project allows 1871 to provide offices to alumni companies that have outgrown their current space but wish to continue to grow within the 1871 environment and utilize 1871's programming and resources. In addition, the new space will house several venture capital firms seeking to engage the Chicago market. It also allows 1871 to develop a number of industry-specific incubators, accelerators and programs in the critical areas of food technology, real estate technology, education technology, financial technology, the Internet of Things, startup engineering, veteran-owned technology businesses and women-owned technology businesses.

"1871 is committed to continually raising the bar in terms of its opportunities for members and service to Chicago's entrepreneurial and technology communities," 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman said. "The primary goal of 1871 is to foster the innovative new technology businesses that are crucial drivers of Illinois' job and economic growth, and we sincerely appreciate the Governor's consistent support for this mission. This expansion is an important component of our ongoing efforts to provide an extensive set of resources and facilities to our member companies."

Thus far, 1871 has announced the official launch of six new programs that will open or grow within the expansion space, including:

·         The Bunker: the nation's first veterans-exclusive technology business accelerator, which will harness the leadership experiences of veterans as a strategic differentiator for startup and early stage veteran-owned, technology-enabled businesses.

·         LEAP Innovations: an incubator that seeks to foster the development of the best learning technologies by supporting startups that create these technology products and programs for key learning gaps and helping pilot these technologies in real-life learning environments.

·         The DeVry EdTech Incubator: an incubator designed to help startups develop new educational technologies to accelerate innovation in teaching and learning by offering mentorship, coaching and access to DeVry's network of educational leaders.

·         The Elmspring Real Estate Incubator: an incubator supporting startups that leverage technology to create solutions for complex challenges throughout the real estate industry. Elmspring seeks to foster clever and innovative concepts that disrupt traditional models in real estate and its related industries. 1871's real estate technology incubator space is sponsored by DTZ.

·         The Good Food Business Accelerator: a fellowship program focused on encouraging broad-based food entrepreneurship and leveraging technology in the food industry. Operated by FamilyFarmed.org, the GFBA will be the nation's first business accelerator focused on building supply chains of sustainable local food.

·         WiSTEM: a program for women-owned and operated technology businesses. In addition to its complete access to the 1871 community and all of its resources, WiSTEM will offer a rigorous yet flexible program to foster and support women entrepreneurs.

1871 was launched in partnership with the state of Illinois on May 2, 2012. The original 50,000-square-foot space was constructed through a $2.3 million state investment. To date, 1871 has graduated over 40 companies, who have collectively created over 500 jobs and raised over $40 million in venture capital funding.

"The expansion is a tremendous opportunity for my company," Learnmetrics CEO and Co-Founder Julian Miller said. "We were growing rapidly and looking at what the next phase of our company would look like, and we were starting to think we were going to have to trade off some of the benefits of being in a space like 1871, but then they announced the expansion. Being a part of that, you get to drive forward what this next phase is and help give feedback. Ultimately, we think it will be a tremendous partnership."

The expansion comes after news in August that employers added 13,800 new jobs to the Illinois economy. During the last five years, Illinois has added 263,100 private sector jobs. These new positions have been created at small as well as large businesses in the state.

The Illinois unemployment rate hit a new six-year low in August when it fell to 6.7 percent, the lowest rate since before the Governor took office, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This is the lowest rate since August 2008 and a continuation of an uninterrupted drop in the state jobless rate that began in late 2013. The number of people employed in Illinois remains above six million, continuing a 2014 trend that has seen more people working in this state than at any time since early 2009.

Since taking office and inheriting decades of mismanagement, the Governor has enacted worker's compensation reform and unemployment insurance reform to make Illinois a better place to do business, in addition to major fiscal reforms such as pension reform and Medicaid restructuring that are restoring fiscal stability to Illinois. Governor Quinn is also pushing a new tax cut for businesses that provide job training. By lowering the cost to train workers, this will make it easier for businesses to create new jobs and ensure workers have the skills to drive a 21st century economy.