26 Jun 2012

Synthetic drug ban nears enactment

By Sen. Chuck Grassley

Floor Statement of Sen. Chuck Grassley

On Synthetic Drugs

Delivered Monday, June 25, 2012

 

Two years ago a constituent of mine named David Rozga committed suicide shortly after smoking a product called K2 ? a synthetic form of marijuana.  A week before he passed away, David graduated from Indianola High School.  He was looking forward to attending my alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa, that fall.  David and his friends spent the week after graduation going to parties and celebrating their achievements. Some of David's friends heard about K2 from some other friends who were home from college.  They were told that if you smoked this product like marijuana you could get a high.  David and his friends were about to go to a concert and thought smoking K2 before would be nothing but harmless fun. However, shortly after smoking K2, David became highly agitated and terrified.  His friends tried to calm him down and once he appeared calmer, he decided to go home instead of going out with them. Tragically, David took his own life shortly after returning home ? only about 90 minutes after smoking K2 for the first time. The only chemicals in his system at the time of his death were those that constituted K2.

David's tragic death is one of the first in what has been a rapidly growing drug abuse trend. In the past two years, the availability and popularity of synthetic drugs like K2, spice, bath salts, and 2C-E have exploded. These drugs are labeled and disguised as legitimate products to circumvent the law. They are easily purchased online, at gas stations, in shopping malls and in other novelty stores. Poison control centers and emergency rooms around the country are reporting skyrocketing cases of calls and visits resulting from synthetic drug use. The physical effects associated with this use include increased agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures.  A number of people across the country have acted violently while under the influence of the drug, dying or injuring themselves and others.  Just a few weeks ago a man in Miami, Florida, attacked a homeless man and ate nearly half his face before police had to shoot him to stop him.   Bath salts are suspected in that attack.  Two weeks ago, police in upstate New York tasered a woman who was choking her three-year-old son after smoking bath salts.

These ongoing and mounting tragedies underscore the fact that Congress must take action to stop these drugs from causing further damage to our society.  I introduced the David Mitchell Rozga Act a year ago last March to ban the drugs that constitute K2. My colleagues Sens. Schumer, Klobuchar, and Portman have also joined me to ban synthetic drugs including bath salts and 2-CE compounds. Today our separate bills are included as part of the House and Senate agreement on the Food and Drug Administration user fee bill we'll be voting on shortly.  I want to thank all who have worked very hard to get my bill, as well as the other bills banning synthetic drugs, through Congress. I especially want to thank Mike and Jan Rozga and their family for their tireless efforts to prevent more tragedy from befalling other families.  This legislation will drastically help to remove these poisons from the store shelves and protect our children from becoming more victims.  I urge my colleagues to support cloture on this bill and I yield the floor.

26 Jun 2012

Schilling's Plan for Quality, Convenient, Patient-Centered, and Affordable Health Care

By Rick Martin

Moline, Illinois - With the Supreme Court's decision on the constitutionality of President Barack Obama's health care reform law - the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - expected soon, Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) released the following statement on his plan for health care reform moving forward:

"Before Independence Day, the Supreme Court is expected to announce its ruling on the President's health care reform law.  The court could decide to uphold the entire law, strike it down entirely, or strike parts of it - parts like Medicaid expansion or the individual mandate, which requires nearly every American to buy health insurance.

"Regardless of the court's decision on the law, I want to work in a bipartisan and transparent way to replace it with common-sense, step-by-step policies that actually lower the cost of health care, preserve Medicare for our children and grandchildren, and put patients and their doctors back in charge of health care decisions.  There's significant support for the law's repeal, and there's also widespread agreement that the American health care system is broken and in need of reform.  

"Simply put, our work doesn't stop if this law is taken off the books.

"We should take up-or-down votes on individual improvements to our health care system - particularly those that seek to lower costs and ultimately make care more affordable and more convenient. It's important that folks with preexisting conditions be able to find coverage, for example.  And in a tough economy like this, I agree that young adults should be able to find affordable coverage.  Individuals should be able to buy health insurance plans across state lines, with the goal of increasing competition and driving down costs.  We should vote to advance common-sense liability protections, stemming defensive medicine and lowering the cost of care.  We should also vote on a plan to ensure Medicare physicians won't see their reimbursement rates cut.  This issue must be resolved to ensure physicians aren't pushed out of Medicare, creating serious access problems for seniors across the country.  

"We can also vote on bills that I introduced - like the Charity Care Tax Deduction Act, for example, that would provide a tax deduction to physicians who administer charity care for those can't afford health insurance, or the Enhanced Veteran Health Care Experience Act that would allow veterans to access the health care they need in their hometowns with their home doctors.

"Another solution to lower health care costs is the bipartisan Health Flexible Spending Arrangements Improvement Act, which passed the House and would allow 35 million Americans to save unused money in their flexible spending accounts for future use on unexpected medical costs.  The current "use it or lose it" policy is hurting American families.

"Unless the court throws out the entire law, I will continue working to repeal whatever's left and apply any savings to a deficit reduction plan.  We can't tax, spend, or regulate our way into a stronger economy and better health care, nor can we prepare ourselves for future threats to our national security while taking a meat cleaver to the Department of Defense's budget.  

"Over the last year and a half, the House has voted 30 times on different bills to repeal, defund, or dismantle the health care reform law.  Most recently we voted to repeal its tax on medical devices.  This is a tax that would be harmful to companies like Cook Medical, which has been hoping to expand its operations in Canton.  The medical device tax would destroy jobs in an industry that employs more than 400,000 Americans throughout the country - 70 in Canton alone.  We have also voted to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB); a board of unelected bureaucrats tasked with saving money by restricting access to health care for Medicare beneficiaries.  I voted to repeal this board to keep health care decisions between patients and their doctor.  

"The bottom line is that I want to make quality health care more convenient and more affordable.  I want you to be able to visit the doctor of your choosing and be given the care that your doctor thinks is best.  

"Every American is impacted by the health care reform law, and will be affected by the Supreme Court's decision.  We need to continue to work to ensure folks in Illinois and across the country have access to health care that's high quality, patient-centered, convenient, and affordable, but the best ideas often don't come from Washington DC, they come from the folks I represent.  Please contact my office at schilling.house.gov or (202) 225-5905 with your ideas to improve care."

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To send Congressman Schilling an e-mail, click hereTo send Congressman Schilling an e-mail, click here
25 Jun 2012

Doctor: With Cancer, Patients Are First Line of Defense

By Ginny Grimsley
Early Detection Makes a Big Difference
for 6 Common Complications

Often, it's not cancer that kills; it's the complications of cancer, says physician Stephen Garrett Marcus, a senior biotechnology research executive.

Complications are common and become more frequent and severe if cancer progresses or spreads, he says. Spotting them early and treating them quickly can lessen their impact and save lives.

"Patients and their families are the first line of defense; they need to know what to watch for and seek treatment immediately," says Marcus, author of a comprehensive new reference, Complications of Cancer (www.DrStephenMarcus.com). "Many can be successfully treated if they're addressed at the first signs of trouble."

What to watch for? Marcus describes the symptoms of six common complications:

• Malignant spinal cord compression: Compression of the spinal cord is caused by a malignant tumor or by bones in the spine damaged by cancer. Symptoms may include pain in the neck or back and weakness in the arms or legs. This is a medical emergency and should be promptly treated, or patients risk paralysis. Cancers of the lung, breast, and prostate, commonly spread to the spine and are the most likely cancers to produce spinal cord compression.

• Neutropenic sepsis: This condition often occurs during chemotherapy. The most common signs of infection are fever, chills, difficulty breathing, a new persistent cough, a sore throat, or a change in mental clarity. An easy way to lower risk is to keep hands clean. If there is an intravenous access line in place, it is important to keep the area clean.

• Pulmonary embolism: Symptoms usually include sudden, severe shortness of breath associated with pain in the chest area. Treatment may include supplemental oxygen and blood pressure support, if necessary, and administration of blood thinning "anticoagulant" medications.

• Bacterial pneumonia: Cancer or treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and steroid medications can diminish a person's ability to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria in the lungs and increase the risk of pneumonia. Symptoms can include cough, fever and chills. Antibiotics will generally cure pneumonia caused by the most common types of bacteria. If the person also is having severe difficulty breathing or low blood pressure, hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics may be required.

• Intestinal obstruction: The most common first symptom is bouts of severe pain in the middle of the abdomen. Treatment includes intravenous fluids and along with a tube passed into the stomach to decompress the intestine by withdrawing excess fluid and air. Emergency surgery may be necessary to relieve the obstruction.

• Delirium, stupor, and coma: The most common causes of these symptoms in people with cancer are problems with blood chemistry, spread of cancer to the brain, side effects of medications and infections. These complications have various treatments after the cause is identified.

"Attitude is the great wild card for surviving cancer," Marcus say, "both in vigilance for possible complications, and the courage to keep fighting."

About Stephen Garrett Marcus, M.D.

Stephen Garrett Marcus, M.D. received his medical degree from New York Medical College and completed a medical oncology fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco. As a senior research executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry since 1985, he played a lead role in developing Betaseron as the first effective treatment of multiple sclerosis, and has led multinational research teams for other treatments. Marcus is the president and CEO of a biotechnology company developing new treatments for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

25 Jun 2012

American Red Cross Issues Emergency Call for Blood Donors Now

By Ben Corey
Blood and platelet donors of all types needed

PEORIA, Ill. (June 25, 2012) - The American Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. This shortfall leaves the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand now than this time last year.

The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors - now more than ever - to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

An unseasonably early start to spring may be a contributing factor to this year's decrease in donations. Many regular donors got an early start on summer activities and aren't taking time to give blood or platelets. In addition, this year's mid-week Independence Day holiday has reduced the number of scheduled Red Cross blood drives. Many sponsors, especially businesses, are unable to host drives because employees are taking extended vacations.

Unfortunately, patients don't get a holiday from needing blood products. The need is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies - when there are complications during childbirth - and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

"Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Of that, the Heart of America Blood Services Region must collect approximately 500 pints per day," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the American Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region, serving Illinois, Eastern Iowa and parts of Missouri. "We need donors to make appointments in the coming days and weeks to help us ensure that all patient blood needs can be met. Each pint of whole blood can help save more than one life."

"There is always the chance that a physician could postpone an elective surgery if the needed blood products aren't readily available or, in a worst case scenario, have to forego a more serious procedure because of a shortage of blood," Heiden added. "Our goal is to ensure that doesn't happen."

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;
supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides
international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross
is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American
public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at
blog.redcross.org.

The American Red Cross' Live Life. Give Life. summer-long campaign is helping to raise awareness
about the constant need for blood and encourage regular donations. Presenting donors between May
21 and September 5, 2012 will be entered automatically into the Live Life. Give Life. promotion for
a chance to win prize packages from GiftCertificates.com. And, from June 29 to July 8, presenting
donors will be entered to win additional prize certificates to thank them for giving blood around the
Independence Day holiday. Visit redcrossblood.org/GiveWin to learn more.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities:

CARROLL COUNTY
6/29/2012, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, United Methodist Church, 405 E. Locust, Lanark

CLINTON COUNTY
7/13/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, American Red Cross, 1220 13th Avenue North, Clinton

HENRY COUNTY
6/25/2012, 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm, Courtyard Village, 860 Sunset Dr, Kewanee

6/27/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St., Kewanee

7/2/2012, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First United Methodist Church S Campus Bldg, 224 N. State, Geneseo

7/2/2012, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, St. John's Church, Route 17, Woodhull

7/9/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, St John's Vianney Church, 313 S West Street, Cambridge

7/11/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St., Kewanee

MERCER COUNTY
7/2/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave., Alexis

WHITESIDE COUNTY
6/26/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

6/27/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

6/28/2012, 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

7/3/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

7/3/2012, 8:00 am-11:00 am, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

7/10/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

7/10/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Carlson Acupuncture & Chiropractic, 2317 E. Lincolnway, Sterling

7/11/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

7/11/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Halo Branded Solutions, 1980 Industrial Drive, Sterling

7/12/2012, 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm, Tampico United Methodist Church, 202 Lincoln Ave, Tampico

7/14/2012, 6:30 am-12:00 pm, CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling

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25 Jun 2012

Caregiving with Love: Five Tips to Better Healing

By Ginny Grimsley
By: Guy Magar, Hollywood Director

Whether it's your wife or husband or child, or a relative or close friend you are caring for, it is paramount that you become the best caregiver possible for your loved one. As a caregiver for my wife Jacqui during her brave journey to beat aml-leukemia, here is what I learned and can share as I honor and applaud caregivers everywhere.

1. Be the trusted advocate. No matter the illness, the medical journey to heal is lengthy and complicated especially if the battleground is cancer. It is important to make sure that you - the caregiver - understands the treatment that your doctor has initiated, no matter how complex, and that all questions have been answered including the many what ifs and whens. If you need to research various options or get second opinions, make it happen. If you need a clinical trial, find it. If the patient is overwhelmed or can't focus, they must feel and know the caregiver is the responsible advocate and is knowledgeable of the best possible medical journey. If they do, they will feel protected and loved, and thus empowered to just focus on their part: the healing.

2. Become the cocoon around your loved one. Every day I'd get into Jacqui's bed and we'd hug tightly as she'd wrap herself around me while we chatted or napped. I always made sure she felt totally surrounded, completely cocooned, by my love, my strength, and my positive attitude. As a caregiver, you have to supply that grounding, that safety net. No matter how bad or creepy or doubtful a patient may feel, you have to provide an unconditional, unbending, concrete tower of absolute certainty about positive progress, as well as an ocean of love that will not allow anything to happen but the very, very best that can be. As caregiver, you must be the unmovable rock of strength and security. A granite-strong cocoon!

3. Don't just be present, be a partner. You work as a team, in partnership with the patient; to be there and support them with any and all treatments from MRIs to IV line cleanings. Whether double-checking with the nurses the drugs they're hooking up, making sure the bed is made or freshened while the patient is in the shower or bathroom, scheduling the physical therapists to keep your partner active and limber, dealing with the three meals and snack orders, you are there to deal with the many details that make up daily hospital life. An unspoken team partnership is crucial for caregivers to bring to the table and for patients to rely on. It was my commitment to make sure Jacqui felt her partner was engaged with the journey 24/7. She knew it, she felt it, she counted on it.

4. Keep them active and involved. Sometimes it's just being there to open the shades and point out how beautiful the sunrise is that morning. Sometimes it's sharing an important front-page story in the news, or breaking out a favorite game like yahtzee to encourage their competitive spirit to win. Sometimes it's playing a CD of oldies but goodies and getting up to do some crazy dance steps to get a laugh or better still to get them to dance even if it means they're standing on your feet because they are too weak to stand on their own. When you're ill, the world feels like it's closing in on you. It's important for the caregiver to keep enlarging the boundaries and keep the patient involved with the outside world. Jacqui, who worked in women's retail and was not familiar with daytime TV, really enjoyed watching Ellen when I started putting it on as she saw women celebrating life...laughing and dancing every day. The will to live and being active with the outside world is crucial therapy.

5. Arrange for small doses of one on one time with special friends and family. Your loved one values friendships, and some concentrated time with a dear friend or family member can be restorative. Have a special friend come over for ten minutes to an hour (depending on how your loved one is feeling that day) and occupy yourself with a task nearby. This way you can be summoned easily if needed, but they still have some privacy and a small sense of normalcy. And if you need to regroup, grab a coffee with a friend or get on the phone with a college buddy. Do whatever it takes to remain strong, clear-minded, and balanced. Your own good mental outlook is crucial to your partner.

The caregiver must become the dependable all-around partner for the patient, and if you can do that effectively and incorporate these five tips, he or she can relax as they heal and know the train has a co-driver and all is well with the arduous journey. The more you take on your shoulders, the less remains on the patient's. Needless to say, this includes everything else going on with your home, financial concerns such as paying monthly bills, and keeping family and friends informed.

I was busy, as all caregivers are. And every single day, I am deeply grateful for Jacqui's healing.

About Guy Magar: TV and film director/writer/producer Guy Magar has worked for more than 30 years in the motion picture industry. His credits include Battlestar Galactica, The A-Team, La Femme Nikita and Children of the Corn: Revelation. Guy is the author of Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot: A Filmmaker's Journey into the Lights of Hollywood and True Love (www.kissmequickbeforeishoot.com).
25 Jun 2012

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Preserve Health Care Benefits for State Retirees

By Robert Jackson Jr.

Senate Bill 1313 a Step in Restoring Fiscal Stability to Illinois

CHICAGO - June 21, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to help ensure that state of Illinois retirees will continue to receive access to quality health care, while also lowering the cost to taxpayers. Illinois currently offers free health insurance to retirees after 20 years or more of service, at a time when no other state offers a healthcare benefit of this size.

"Those who have faithfully served the state deserve access to quality health care, and insurance costs should be more balanced and based on actual retirement income," Governor Quinn said. "We also have a duty to taxpayers to ensure these plans are cost-efficient and put Illinois on the path to fiscal stability."

Introduced at the request of Governor Quinn, Senate Bill 1313 passed the General Assembly with bi-partisan support. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), SB 1313 was also supported by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego).

The purpose of the new law is to increase fiscal responsibility by requiring all state retirees to help with the cost of health care based on their ability to pay. Currently, retired legislators receive free health insurance after four years, retired judges after six years, and retired state and university employees after 20 years of service. The result is that approximately 90 percent of retirees are not contributing anything for the cost of their health insurance. The annual cost to taxpayers is nearly $800 million. This law ensures the state will be able to continue offering quality healthcare coverage for retired employees, while making healthcare benefits more affordable for taxpayers.

Many Midwestern states, including Iowa and Minnesota, do not provide any subsidy for retired employees. Instead, they provide access to their plans and leave the entire cost to be paid by the retiree. Other states offer a very limited subsidy. For example, Florida offers retirees a monthly subsidy of $150, while the retiree covers the remaining cost. While some states utilize a formula similar to Illinois', where the amount of the subsidy is based upon years of service, no comparable state offers free health insurance after 20 years. This law allows Illinois to continue offering affordable health insurance that is based on a retiree's ability to pay and length of state service.

While the bill goes into effect July 1, final decisions on rates will be made following labor negotiations and approval by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Please see the attached document for quotes from the bill's sponsors, as well as General Assembly leadership.

###

 

Legislator Quotes

"This is a year for difficult choices, and passing this bill is the first of many. While I take no joy in the loss of a benefit for hard working retirees, I am proud of our efforts to stabilize the state budget for now and the future," said Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).

"I have a lot of compassion for those people who retired anticipating a certain benefit that now may be changed somewhat," said Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). "Having said that, this is a step Illinois must take to right the financial ship. Without critical reforms, the current structure is unsustainable, and taxpayers are on the hook for programs they cannot afford. Senate Bill 1313 is critical to accomplishing the goal of fiscal stability."

"This important step was absolutely necessary to protect the quality and affordability of health insurance for retirees from public employment, particularly those living on fixed incomes who have no other coverage," said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), who was the sponsor of SB 1313.

"Close to 80,000 state retirees do not pay a premium for their healthcare; we simply cannot afford that anymore," said Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego). "I commend the Governor and other leaders in the General Assembly for supporting this important reform that will bring more fiscal stability to the state. These new premiums will be negotiated by the administration and labor unions, who will come to an agreement that is fair for the taxpayers and the retirees."

20 Jun 2012

Center for Rural Affairs prepared to Comment on U.S. Supreme Court Affordable Care Act Ruling

By Elisha Smith
Lyons, NE - Either Thursday, June 21st or Monday, June 25th the Supreme Court will likely release their ruling on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act.

Rural policy experts with the Center for Rural Affairs will be available for comment on the outcome of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Since 2008, the Center for Rural Affairs has become the leading voice for health care reform in rural America. The Center played an instrumental role in winning support for the Affordable Care Act from key swing votes in the Midwest and Great Plains region.

The Center has authored a series of 16 reports dealing with how health care reform and the Affordable Care Act is impacting rural America. Visit http://www.cfra.org/policy/health-care/research to review or download earlier Center for Rural Affairs health care reports.

WHO: Center for Rural Affairs rural health policy experts will be available to comment on the Supreme Court's ruling when the Court issues its decision.

WHEN: Either Thursday June 21st or Monday, June 25th.
19 Jun 2012

SBHCC Announces Results of Small Business Poll On the Affordable Care Act

By Kathleen Duffy
RELEASES RESULTS OF IL HEALTH CARE POLLS OF SMALL BUSINESSES, CALLS ON GOVERNOR QUINN TO ACT NO MATTER WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES
ILLINOIS - The newly formed Small Business Health Care Consortium (SBHCC) announced today the results of recent Illinois polls regarding the small business provision of the Affordable Care Act  and their call for Governor Quinn to establish an Illinois Insurance Exchange with key principle provisions by issuing an executive order.
The polls, conducted in conjunction with the Small Business Majority, found that:
  • 63% of Illinois small business owners want to see the Affordable Care Act upheld, with minor or no changes. After learning more about the specifics of the law, support for keeping it as is or with minor changes rose to 68%.
  • A 73% majority of small business owners say they would use or consider using the state exchange, and seven out of 10 Illinois small business owners support the state in applying for federal aid under the Affordable Care Act to set one up.
  • A majority of business owners say they'd be likely to purchase health care for their employees through a state exchange because it is the only place they can receive a tax credit beginning in 2014. 64% of those polled said qualifying for the tax credit would make them more likely to provide or continue offering coverage to employees.
(Links: IL ACA Poll Mini Report and ACA Wrapup poll)
Small businesses are the backbone of Illinois's economy. In 2010, 203,600 businesses in Illinois had 25 or fewer workers, according to the Small Business Majority. The SBHCC, formed earlier this year, represents the voice of small business leaders throughout Illinois on health care reform.
Present SBHCC Steering Committee members include the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women Business Owners - Chicago Chapter, McCormick Chamber of Commerce, Women's Business Development Center, and small businesses including Old Mexico Restaurant (Rock Island), Gregg Florist (Peoria), Wirehead Technology (Chicago), Second Act Cancer Recovery Boutique (Chicago), MCCE Investments (Springfield), Linda Forman CPA PC (Evanston), and H.A King & Associates (Chicago.)
"Forming the Small Business Health Care Consortium to represent the diversity of small businesses throughout the state is overdue. I am working with the Small Business Health Care Consortium to ensure that all small businesses can afford health insurance," said Howard Lee of Wire Technology in Chicago, a SBHCC steering committee member.
Another provision of the ACA is the development of a competitive healthcare marketplace, or insurance exchange, in each state. Small businesses want to support our employees and their families by being able to provide them with the quality, affordable healthcare they deserve, but the high costs make it difficult or impossible for many of us to do that. We need a strong marketplace to give us more control, quality choices, and better consumer protections when buying insurance - just like the big guys get.
Pattie Sheehan, Certified Mastectomy Fitter and sole proprietor of Second Act Mastectomy Boutique in Chicago, serves cancer patients and survivors. "Every day I see and hear from women who did not catch their cancer early because they did not have access to healthcare. Women who battle cancer also work at small businesses and that means that they are less likely to have health insurance coverage, just because their employer is small. It is time for the inequality of insurance access to be erased and for the needs of small businesses to be met so that our employees can afford good insurance. That is why I have joined the Steering Committee of the Small Business Health Care Consortium."
Since 2010 under the ACA, companies with fewer than 25 employees and average employee wages of less than $50,000 can get tax credits for the health insurance they provide their employees. These tax breaks have already lightened the load on small businesses so we can get back to what we do best...creating jobs that will stay here in our communities.
"I am the owner of MCCE Investments and I also own several Subway stores in the Springfield area. The main reason I am spending time on this project, the Small Business Health Care Consortium, is to be sure small business has a voice in the process from the beginning. We have to be sure health care for all Americans is not done on the backs of small business but must be shared by all," said Mark Burris.
"Contrary to political spin and popular belief, small business owners in Illinois do not want the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out the Affordable Care Act. Illinois small businesses see this law as helping everyone have coverage and bringing down healthcare costs?something that has been one of their top concerns for years.  We hope Supreme Court justices understand how important this law is to small businesses who need relief from high healthcare costs," said Jim Duffett, Executive Director of the Campaign for Better Health Care.
Duffett continued, "Since the General Assembly has abdicated its responsibilities, Governor Quinn needs to step up to the plate and enact an Executive Order to begin the process for an Illinois Marketplace (exchange). Small businesses are committed in taking personal responsibility; it is time for our political leaders to do the same."
Right now, Illinois could access over $200 million in federal funds to implement the new marketplace. It won't cost the state a penny if we use these federal funds. This past legislative session, the General Assembly took no action on implementing a marketplace in Illinois. This means the federal government will implement one for us, unless Governor Quinn takes immediate action.
David Whitaker, Chair of the Health Committee for the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce, said "Small businesses are diverse throughout Illinois and yet we all have the same problem when it comes to buying health insurance?it is very difficult and we spend more for it than larger businesses. The Illinois General Assembly failed this past session to enact legislation to establish an Illinois marketplace, or insurance exchange. It is time for action and leadership."

"The SBHCC is calling on Governor Quinn to sign an executive order to set the standard for this
marketplace and it must include the following principles:

1) No insurance industry representataives on the Governing Board.
2) The right to negotiate rates with insurers - there must be real cost containment measures.
3) The Insurance industry must pay for the Marketplace, not small businesses and consumers."
Joyce Harant, SBHCC Project Director said, "Small business owners are so busy keeping their businesses operating that they have very little time to navigate what is happening about health care reform.  Most of them wish they could afford health insurance for their employees and yet when the rubber meets the road, for many of them the obstacles are too great.  My hope is that we can learn the needs of small business owners and, in a collective way, make sure their needs and opinions are heard and become part of the legislation passed in Illinois."
Full statements by small business owners on today's telebriefing are available via Kathleen Duffy.  The audio of today's telebriefing is available on the Campaign for Better Health Care's Audio Archive.
# # #
About the Small Business Health Care Consortium
The Small Business Health Care Consortium (SBHCC), a project of the Campaign for Better Health Care, represents the voice of small business leaders throughout Illinois on health care reform.  For more information, please contact Joyce Harant, SBHCC Project Director.
About the Campaign for Better Health Care
We believe that accessible, affordable, quality health care is a basic human right for ALL people.  The Campaign for Better Health Care is the state's largest coalition representing over 300 diverse organizations, organizing to help create and advocate for an accessible, quality health care system for all.  For more information, visit www.cbhconline.org.
18 Jun 2012

Governor Quinn Announces State Efforts to Keep Residents Safe During High Temperatures

By Nafia Khan

Urges Illinoisans to take precautions, check on elderly

CHICAGO - June 18, 2012. With hot weather forecasted across Illinois this week, Governor Pat Quinn today announced services available throughout the state to protect people from the heat. The Governor also encouraged residents to check on family members and neighbors who are vulnerable to hot weather, including the elderly and children.

"Rising temperatures like those we're expecting in the days ahead can be extremely dangerous, especially for elderly residents and children," Governor Quinn said. "I urge people to take steps to stay safe and cool. If you have children, or elderly neighbors or relatives, please check on them regularly to make sure they are safe."

The state has opened more than 120 cooling centers around Illinois, in order to help those without air conditioning find respite from the heat. The cooling centers are located at Illinois Department of Human Services offices throughout the state, as well as at Illinois Tollway Oases in the Chicago area. Cooling centers are open to the public during regular business hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at (800) 843-6154, or visit, http://www2.illinois.gov/KeepCool/Pages/coolingcenters.aspx for locations.

"High temperatures and humidity can lead to serious health problems, particularly for the elderly and young children," Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health said. "If the body does not cool properly or does not cool enough, a person may suffer a range of heat-related illnesses from, heat rash to heatstroke, which can be fatal."

Governor Quinn and the IDPH are encouraging Illinoisans to watch for signs of heat-related illnesses. Symptoms of heat-related illness include headaches, skin that is hot to the touch, increased body temperature, loss of consciousness, seizures and irregular heartbeats.

To stay cool and avoid illness, people should increase their fluid intake but avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and sugar; decrease strenuous, outdoor physical activity; and remain in air-conditioning when possible.

The Illinois Department on Aging also encourages relatives and friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens living alone. When temperatures and humidity are extremely high, seniors and people with chronic health conditions should be monitored for dehydration and other effects of extreme heat. Additionally, seniors should eat lighter meals, take longer and more frequent rests, and drink plenty of fluids.

For information about heat preparedness, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

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15 Jun 2012

The Prostate Cancer Screening Debate

By Hawkeye Caucus

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued new recommendations against routine prostate cancer screening.  The USPSTF now recommends that regardless of age, men without symptoms should not routinely have the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to screen for prostate cancer.

The recommendation has raised concerns among health care specialists. Some say the task force based its recommendation on flawed data.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss the possible risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their doctor before deciding whether to be screened.  The discussion about screening should take place at age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and at age 45 for men who are at higher risk, including African-American men and men who have a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer.

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

Karl Kreder, M.D., professor and head, UI Department of Urology: "It is very important to recognize that there are side effects to prostate cancer treatments and those do need to be taken into account.  Men need to talk with their physician to determine if they should be screened, and how to proceed if prostate cancer is detected.  For some men, monitoring the progression of their disease is appropriate, but if the cancer is aggressive and fast-growing, treatments can extend survival."

DID YOU KNOW?
UI researchers are working to develop a prostate cancer vaccine.  Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in men over age 75. If the patient's type of prostate cancer is less aggressive and slower to grow, the patient could die of another cause before the prostate tumor would cause a problem.  More information is available online at: http://www.uihealthcare.org/Clinic.aspx?id=3634.

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