Bill Streamlines Access to Medication, Improves Consumer Health

SPRINGFIELD, IL - HB3638, designed to streamline the medication coverage approval process by insurance companies and improve transparency on the Exchange, was signed into law by Governor Quinn earlier this week and becomes effective immediately. The bill aims to improve the state's Health Exchange by requiring insurers to provide consumers with additional information about insurance coverage and medication costs in each plan.

It also guarantees that a prior authorization request for medications must be approved or denied by an insurance company within 72 hours, improving a bottleneck that has resulted in massive and dangerous delays for patients to get the medications prescribed by their doctors.

"Access to medication and transparency around this process is critical for many - it affects their ability to go to work, care for their families and live their day-to-day lives," said Rep. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, the chief sponsor of the legislation in the House. "The signing of this legislation is a huge win for patients across Illinois, eliminating what sometimes can be weeks of delay waiting for crucial medications."

The legislation was supported by dozens of health advocacy organizations in Illinois, including the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, American Nurses Association Illinois, Arthritis Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, Epilepsy Foundation of North-Central Illinois, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois, Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago and several mental health advocacy organizations such as Mental Health America and Mental Health Summit.

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Chicago's North Lawndale Eagles Participate in Ice Bucket Challenge; Governor Proclaims August 20 as "Ice Bucket Challenge Day" in Illinois

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by Pat Quinn, creator of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) "Ice Bucket Challenge," the North Lawndale Eagles football team and the ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter Executive Director Julie Sharp to raise awareness for the ALS Association. The Governor also proclaimed August 20 as "Ice Bucket Challenge Day" in Illinois and issued the following statement:

"Today I welcome New York native Pat Quinn to the Land of Lincoln and thank him for all his hard work in raising much-needed awareness and funds for ALS research.

"ALS affects tens of thousands of Americans and efforts to find a cure will greatly benefit from the attention and funding generated by the Ice Bucket Challenge.

"Taking the challenge and donating is a simple way everyone can show our support for those individuals and families affected by ALS. Today I proclaim August 20 as 'Ice Bucket Challenge Day' in Illinois and encourage everyone to get involved in this great cause."

The Governor and Pat Quinn today were joined by the North Lawndale Eagles football team, whose players participated in the challenge.

Pat Quinn, who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2013, and Pete Frates, of Boston, who has also been diagnosed with ALS, are credited with taking the Ice Bucket Challenge from a local fundraiser to a country-wide phenomenon via social media. The campaign has produced more than 300,000 new donors for the ALS Association.

Money raised from the Ice Bucket Challenge will fund research on ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, impairing muscle control and movement.  There is currently no known cure for the disease, and treatment options are limited. To date, the Ice Bucket Challenge has raised $15.6 million for the ALS Association.

Governor Quinn took the Ice Bucket Challenge last week and challenged Gordon Beckham, Paul Konerko and Chris Sale of the White Sox to do the same.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to prohibit smoking on the campuses of all state-supported colleges and universities. The smoking ban takes effect July 1, 2015 and applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces on campuses. The Governor also signed a law to restrict the display of e-cigarettes. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect and improve the health and well-being of all people in every community across Illinois.

"Illinois' college students shouldn't be subject to unwanted cigarette smoke on the campuses they call home," Governor Quinn said. "We want all schools to be healthy, clean and productive places of learning for Illinois' bright young minds. This new law will improve the health of our students and encourage healthier lifestyles after college graduation."

Senate Bill 2202, sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) and State Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago), creates the Smoke Free Campus Act that prohibits all smoking on state-supported college and university campuses in Illinois beginning July 1, 2015.

"Smoke free policies have been proven to result in lower smoking prevalence rates.  That's one of the many reasons the American Lung Association is proud to have worked alongside state legislators on the Smoke Free Campus Act," American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest CEO Lew Bartfield said. "In addition, the new law will provide a healthy learning environment that promotes health and wellness for students, faculty, staff and visitors at all public colleges and universities in Illinois. The law not only minimizes toxic secondhand smoke exposure but also improves the campus environment by reducing smoking related litter. We applaud the Illinois State Legislature and Governor Pat Quinn for passing and signing the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act."

"Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. "Smoke-free campuses make it more difficult for students and staff to smoke, thereby decreasing the number of people who smoke, and reducing the number of people who start."

Exceptions to the law are made for smoking inside privately owned vehicles traveling through campus and certain activities allowed under the Federal American Indian Religious Freedom Act.  A companion bill signed today by Governor Quinn, House Bill 3961, allows smoking on campus inside parked, non-state-owned vehicles. The Smoke Free Campus Act requires each institution to establish a community task force by December 31, 2014 to coordinate the implementation of the act.

Currently in Illinois, the following universities and colleges are smoke-free: Aurora University, Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, City Colleges of Chicago (7 colleges), College of DuPage, Danville Area Community College, Greenville College, Hannibal LaGrange University,  McHenry County College, Olivet Nazarene University, Rush University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,  University of Illinois at Chicago, Waubonsee Community College and  Wheaton College.

Additionally, there are current efforts to establish smoke-free/tobacco-free campuses at Southern Illinois University and Illinois State University. The other state-supported higher education institutions that would be mandated to become smoke-free include :  Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University and any community college subject to the Public Community College Act. Other states with colleges and universities that have 100 percent smoke-free policies include : California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

"A college education can put people ahead in life, but smoking can do just the opposite," Senator Link said. "This new law will clear the air on campuses statewide and help produce healthier graduates."

"This is a continuation of the efforts of Smoke Free Illinois to protect Illinoisans from the very significant danger of secondhand smoke," Representative Williams said. "This initiative will extend important public health protections to those studying, working and living at our public college and university campuses."

Governor Quinn today also signed House Bill 5868, sponsored by State Representative Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake) and State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago), which requires that alternative nicotine products such as e-cigarettes be displayed under the same restrictions as cigarettes. The products must be sold from behind a counter, in an age-restricted area or in a sealed case, and may not be dispensed from a self-service display. A previously passed law prohibits the sale of alternative nicotine items to those under 18 years of age. House Bill 5868 is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

"While many residents may use e-cigarettes to kick bad habits, these products have no place within arm's reach along the aisles of our pharmacies and grocery stores," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will ensure e-cigarettes are safely displayed behind the counter, where they belong."

Governor Quinn has long supported public health improvement measures in Illinois. Shortly after taking office in 2009 the Governor signed Senate Bill 2757, which strengthens enforcement of the Smoke Free Illinois Act by providing additional guidelines for writing citations.

In 2012, Governor Quinn signed into law a $1 per pack increase in the price of cigarettes, providing $350 million in revenue and dollar-for-dollar federal matching funds of $350 million for Medicaid. The American Cancer Society estimated the increase would prevent some 77,000 young people from smoking and prompt an additional 60,000 adults to quit. In 2013, Governor Quinn signed a law that bans the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.

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Everyday Health: How does weight affect diabetes?

Ping H. Wang, MD: Excess weight can present health risks for anyone, not just people with diabetes. But this excess weight, in combination with other indicators such as high blood glucose (hyperglycemia), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol/triglycerides (known as metabolic disorder) is implicated in heart disease and can be life threatening to patients with diabetes. Losing weight and lowering blood pressure and lipids reduces the risks associated with metabolic disorder. In addition, losing weight can "reverse" diabetes in some individuals whose excess body fat prevents the body from effectively using its own insulin (insulin resistance).

Melissa Meredith, MD (with assistance from Barb Uselman, RN/CDE, and Carol Sargent, RD/CDE) : The most common form of diabetes, type 2 diabetes, is characterized by 2 main defects. First, the pancreas is unable to produce enough of the hormone insulin. Insulin allows the body's tissues to use glucose for energy. When there is not enough insulin, blood sugars will rise. Second, what insulin is produced does not work effectively in people with type 2 diabetes. This is referred to as insulin resistance. When a person has insulin resistance, it takes more insulin to lower the blood sugar. Weight is the major factor that contributes to insulin resistance. Excess weight will lead to worsened insulin resistance. Conversely, weight loss will improve insulin resistance and therefore less insulin will be needed to control the blood sugar. As little as a 10 pound weight loss can markedly improve insulin resistance and make it much easier to manage blood sugars!

Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE: Extra weight (being overweight or obese) affects the body's ability to effectively use the hormone called insulin (also known as insulin resistance). If your body doesn't use the insulin well, whether you make it naturally or need to inject it, your blood sugar (glucose) will go up. Also, extra weight is hard on the heart. It increases the likelihood of high blood pressure ? and thus the risk for a heart attack or stroke. It is important to know you can be fit at any weight. Just get your doctor's clearance before starting a program. Even a 5-percent weight loss can improve diabetes and lessen the risk for heart disease.

Gretchen Scalpi, RD, CDE: Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk for developing diabetes, and in people who already have diabetes, a possible worsening of their condition. Weight that accumulates around the abdomen affects the body's cell sensitivity to insulin. An overweight or obese individual can gradually develop resistance to their own insulin. Insulin resistance leads to persistently high levels of blood sugar, and, eventually, type 2 diabetes.