04 Jun 2012

Statement from Governor Quinn on General Assembly Passage of Legislation to Save Medicaid

By Brooke Anderson

SPRINGFIELD - May 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the Senate's passage of SB 2194, which raises the price of cigarettes by $1-a-pack to prevent children from smoking, and is the final part of his plan to restructure Medicaid.

 

"I want to thank the members of the General Assembly who rose to the occasion to save our Medicaid system from the brink of collapse.

 

"Last week, members of both parties passed legislation to create the necessary savings to save Medicaid. Today the Senate joined the House to prevent children from smoking and allow the state to access vital federal funding to save our Medicaid system.

 

"Senate President Cullerton and Senate sponsor Jeff Schoenberg, thank you for your leadership to raise the price of cigarettes, which will improve our state's fiscal health and the health of tens of thousands of smokers who will quit or never start.

 

"Increasing the price of cigarettes will decrease smoking-related costs to Medicaid, which came to $1.5 billion last year. This legislation will help 60,000 people quit smoking, prevent 60,000 deaths from smoking-related conditions and keep 80,000 kids from taking up smoking in the first place."

 

"By working together to pass these bills, strong progress has been made in our mission to restructure Medicaid, so that it serves as a health and wellness system instead of a provider-payment system. As a result, our Medicaid system will continue to serve the millions of Illinois residents who rely on it."

 

"I thank the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Julie Hamos and all who took part in our bipartisan working group to develop solutions to save Medicaid.

 

"I look forward to signing the bills to preserve and restructure our Medicaid system, as we continue to take important steps to restore fiscal stability to Illinois."

 

 

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04 Jun 2012

Stroke and Osteoporosis Screenings Coming to Rock Island, Illinois

By Joelle Reizes
Rock Island, Illinois - Residents living in and around the Rock Island, Illinois community can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke or bone fracture.  First Lutheran Church will host Life Line Screening on 6/13/2012.  The site is located at 1600 20th Street in Rock Island.  John Kost from Western Springs, IL, participated in a Life Line Screening event in April of 2008 and learned he had an abdominal aortic aneurysm.  He writes, "I want to thank you and your organization for saving my life!"

Four key points every person needs to know:
•       Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of permanent disability
•       80% of stroke victims had no apparent warning signs prior to their stroke
•       Preventive ultrasound screenings can help you avoid a stroke
•       Screenings are fast, noninvasive, painless, affordable and convenient

Screenings identify potential cardiovascular conditions such as blocked arteries and irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which is a strong predictor of heart disease. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered and is appropriate for both men and women.

Packages start at $149.  All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete.  For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-877-237-1287 or visit our website at www.lifelinescreening.com.  Pre-registration is required.

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04 Jun 2012

Graduating Students Need to Pay Attention to Health Insurance Rules

By Obama for America Press Office
Students have 30 days once health plans end to notify their parents' health insurance company to continue coverage; delay could cause long lapse

DES MOINES – Few students realize that once their health plans ends after graduation they have 30 days to notify their parents' health insurance company to continue coverage. If students miss the 30-day window, it could be months before they're able to join their parents' plan under open enrollment. To help educate students of the rules, Obama for America today released the attached fact sheet detailing the action graduating college students can take to keep health care coverage once they are out of school.  Under the Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama in March 2010, students can stay on their parents' plans until they turn 26 - and 2.5 million young adults who would otherwise be uninsured have coverage today because of Obamacare. 

Before health care reform, more young Americans lacked health coverage than any other age group - accounting for more than one in five of the uninsured.  As young people transition to the job market, they often have entry level jobs, part time jobs, or jobs at small businesses - all forms of employment that are less likely to offer insurance.  That is why it is imperative to let students know how to switch from their student health plan to their parents' plan after graduation.  Once student health plans end, they will have only 30 days to notify their parents' health insurance company.  If students miss the 30-day window, it could be months before they're able to join their parents' plan under open enrollment.

 

 

 

 

04 Jun 2012

Governor Pat Quinn Statement on House of Representatives Passage of Cigarette Tax Legislation to Rescue Medicaid

By Nafia Khan

SPRINGFIELD - May 25, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the Illinois House of Representatives passing Senate Bill 2194, a key part of his proposal for Medicaid restructuring.

 

"I applaud Speaker Madigan and Leader Currie and members of the House of Representative for passing legislation to increase the price of cigarettes to help eliminate Medicaid's $2.7 billion deficit, improve the health of people across Illinois, and bring back federal dollar-for-dollar matching funds.

 

"We need to take decisive action to protect Illinois' Medicaid system from collapse. The cigarette tax is not just good fiscal policy, but good health policy. Adding a dollar per pack will help 60,000 people quit smoking, prevent 60,000 deaths from smoking-related conditions and keep 80,000 kids from taking up smoking in the first place.

 

"Today's action will improve the health of our people and lower the burden of smoking-related conditions on our Medicaid system, while helping to fill the $2.7 billion Medicaid shortfall and stabilize the system for those that need it.

 

"We hope Senators will follow their colleagues in the House, and quickly pass this legislation, which is critical to rescuing Medicaid."

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04 Jun 2012

Skin Cancer Preventable For Those Who Work or Play Outdoors

By David Bryan

(Kansas City, Kan., May 25, 2012) - The sunny days of spring and summer represent an entirely different dynamic for people in the Midwest.  While large numbers of people are heading for camp sites, parks and beaches that flourish throughout our region, it also means that the agriculture community - our farmers and ranchers - are hard at work in the fields and on rangeland. This means that the risk will increase for those spending more time in the sun.

 

Several agencies have designated Friday, May 25, 2012, as "Don't Fry Day" as a way to highlight sun safety. EPA has joined the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Park Service (NPS) to emphasize the dangers of skin cancer and has provided simple steps Americans can take to protect themselves. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated the Friday before Memorial Day "Don't Fry Day" as a way to highlight sun safety.

Farmers and ranchers face a range of occupational hazards--from machinery accidents to chemical exposures from fertilizers and pesticides, to injuries from working with animals. A less-visible danger comes from the sun's ultraviolet rays, which can damage skin, leading to skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and suppression of the immune system.

 

"Ultraviolet radiation is a serious threat to our health and especially to the health of those who make a living outside in the fields and on the rangeland in our region," EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said. "The increased threat faced during the long and hot summer days of the heartland makes it imperative that we remember sun safety this summer."

 

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and the most common cancer among 20 to 30 year-olds. It's estimated that one American dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Approximately 76,000 new cases of melanoma will occur this year.

To help protect people's health, EPA's SunWise program, one of the nation's largest environmental and health education programs, encourages kids and their caregivers to practice safe sun habits and raises awareness about UV sunlight that penetrates the Earth's ozone layer.

Here are some tips to help Americans continue to exercise, get outside and be SunWise this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer:

Check the UV Index app: Check the ultraviolet (UV) index anytime by downloading EPA's app (epa.gov/enviro/mobile) to help plan outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. UV rays from the sun (and from artificial light sources such as tanning beds) can lead to skin cancer.

Apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing: Apply a palm-full of sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to exposed skin about 15 minutes before heading outdoors. Reapply every two hours. Wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses also prevents sun damage.

Seek shade, not sun: The sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so seek shade during this time.

Although less common in individuals with darker complexions, skin cancer does not discriminate and is more often fatal for individuals with darker skin. Overexposure to the sun also causes immune suppression and up to 90 percent of wrinkles, brown spots, leathering of the skin and sagging.

EPA's SunWise program offers factsheets online that have state-specific information (epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html ).

 

# # #

30 May 2012

Morthland Backs Landmark Medicaid Reform

By Rep. Rich Morthland
SPRINGFIELD, IL - On a day that saw a rare, bipartisan effort to rein in state spending, State Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova) backed landmark Medicaid reform legislation aimed at cutting Illinois' Medicaid spending and reversing a decade long trend of exploding costs.

"Today, the Illinois House passed landmark reforms that will ensure the future viability of our Medicaid program," Morthland said. "Without meaningful Medicaid reforms, Illinois' backlog of unpaid bills would grow to approximately $21 billion by 2017, a level of spending that is simply unsustainable. So we took action to cut nearly $1.6 billion from the State's $11 billion Medicaid program, which will help get Illinois back on solid fiscal ground."

With passage of Senate Bill 2840, an estimated 300,000 individuals are expected to be removed from Illinois' Medicaid rolls because they do not meet income eligibility guidelines, are not Illinois residents, have died, or have aged-out of the All Kids program. This eligibility verification alone will save taxpayers $350 million.

The bill also provides for a moderate rate reduction for hospitals of 3.5% and exempts Critical Access and Safety Net Hospitals from the reduction.

Senate Bill 2840, which passed the House on a vote of 94-22-1, will do the following:

  • Roll back the Blagojevich expansion of Family Care by reducing the eligibility limit for parents to $30,000 for a family of four
  • Impose a $10 co-pay for emergency room visits
  • Require a $3.60 co-pay on all services and a $2 co-pay for generic medications
  • Limit prescription coverage to four prescriptions per month without doctor certification or need or specialty drug/condition exception
  • Eliminate funding for adult chiropractic services

Representative Morthland added that he voted against the so-called Obamacare expansion for Cook County, contained in House Bill 5007.

###
30 May 2012

Governor Pat Quinn Statement on General Assembly Passage of Medicaid Rescue Legislation

By Andrew Mason

SPRINGFIELD - May 24, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the Illinois General Assembly passing Senate Bill 2840, a key part of his proposal for Medicaid restructuring.


 

"I salute Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, Minority Leader Christine Radogno, Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, Rep. Patti Bellock, Sen. Heather Steans, Sen. Dale Righter, members of the General Assembly and everyone who joined the working group for making significant progress today towards rescuing our Medicaid system.

 

This is the first step toward saving Medicaid for those that rely upon it. The status quo would have led to Medicaid's collapse, and I am pleased to see the General Assembly take strong action to put our Medicaid system and our state on the path to sound fiscal footing.

 

And there is more work to do.

 

The General Assembly must move quickly to pass legislation to add a dollar a pack to the cost of cigarettes, which - combined with today's legislation - will achieve the necessary $2.7 billion in savings to rescue Medicaid.

 

Raising the price of cigarettes is also sound health policy; smoking-related conditions are a significant burden on our Medicaid system, and this measure will improve the health of our people and reduce future Medicaid costs. Members of the General Assembly should not delay in taking action to reduce our Medicaid burden and access dollar-for-dollar federal matching funds by increasing the price of cigarettes.

 

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29 May 2012

Senate Passes Grassley Bill to Ban Dangerous Synthetic Drugs

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today received full Senate passage of his legislation to impose a nationwide ban on the chemicals used to make the dangerous drugs known as "K2" or "Spice." As Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, Grassley advanced the legislation, named for a young Iowa man who took his own life after using the drug.

 

"An 18-year-old constituent of mine tragically took his own life after using this drug," Grassley said.  "Other deaths around the country have been linked to it.  It's poison. Its manufacturing processes are largely unknown and 100 percent unregulated.  In some instances, the drug is made on the floor of a household garage.  People are spraying chemicals on a pile of dried plant clippings, putting that in an envelope and selling it to kids.  Anybody who ingests this substance is risking their lives.  A federal ban will go a long way in  preventing this poison from causing any more harm."

 

Grassley said the federal ban will prevent foreign manufacturers from getting their products into the United States in the first place.  And a federal ban is necessary to get the material out of stores in all 50 states.  The existing state bans vary from state to state and may not be broad enough to anticipate the chemical tweaks that cynical manufacturers use to evade the ban.  "And the clock is ticking on how long the current federal regulatory ban will remain in place," Grassley said.  "Congress needs to finalize a permanent, comprehensive ban effective in all 50 states."

 

Last year, Grassley introduced the David Mitchell Rozga Act, S. 605, named for the 18-year-old from Indianola who took his own life in June 2010, soon after using K2 purchased from his local shopping mall.  Poison control centers and emergency rooms around the country are reporting skyrocketing cases of calls and visits resulting from K2 use, with physical effects including 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.

 

The Senate approved the Grassley legislation as part of legislation re-authorizing a key component of Food and Drug Administration funding.  The Senate also approved bans of the chemicals used to make other dangerous synthetic drugs, "bath salts," "2C-E" and others.  The measures were included in an amendment from Sen. Rob Portman.  "I appreciate Sen. Portman's attention to this issue and work to move forward on a ban," Grassley said.

 

The House of Representatives passed similar legislation last December.  Grassley said he hopes the House will give final passage to the synthetic drug ban as soon as possible.

 

"The chemicals used to produce these drugs have no household use," Grassley said.  "The manufacturers and sellers of these products are engaging in a cynical money-making ploy that plays with human life.  Until a final ban is in place, everyone should stay away from these products."

 

It's necessary for Congress to act to ban the chemicals used to make the new wave of synthetic drugs because the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's capacity to ban chemicals is limited.  Grassley's legislation treats K2 like other banned narcotics such as methamphetamine and cocaine.  The same is true for the bills on "bath salts" and "2C-E."

 

-30-
29 May 2012

Study predicts 42% of the U.S. Population will be Obese by 2030: Education to Combat Obesity

By Jennifer Eisenhofer

Fourth Annual Continuing Education Conference, to be held in Philadelphia on July 19-21, 2012, will feature nationally recognized lecturers in the field of obesity treatment.

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ – The 4th Annual Continuing Education (CME/CEU) Conference, The Science and Business of Weight Management for the New or Experienced Practitioner, beginning on July 19, 2012, in Philadelphia, will focus on the operational and treatment skills, techniques, and strategies healthcare professionals need to successfully open a new weight loss facility or enhance a current weight management program.

According to a May 2012 report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, about 42% of the U.S. population will be obese by 2030. Eric Finkelstein, lead author of the report, and co-authors estimate that 11% of the population will be severely obese by 2030.

Healthcare professionals are in the optimal position to improve the quality of life for individuals who are obese and overweight by reducing their weight and co-morbid conditions. As the obesity epidemic progresses, healthcare professionals should look toward educational forums to learn about the latest research advances, operational and treatment skills, techniques and strategies needed to successfully open a new weight management facility or enhance an existing program. To that end, the Annual Continuing Education Conference is pushing for education and providing an opportunity for networking and the exchange of essential knowledge.

Featured speakers at this year`s conference include : Dr. Robert F. Kushner; Judith S. Beck, PhD and Deborah Beck Busis, LSW; Thomas Wadden, PhD; John Baker, MD; John Hernried, MD; Susan Baker, MHA; and John Foreyt, MD, among others.

For more information about the 4th Annual Continuing Education (CME/CEU) Conference, The Science and Business of Weight Management for the New or Experienced Practitioner, visit www.WeightConference.com, or call Jennifer Eisenhofer at 888.519.1192, ext. 3012.

 

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23 May 2012

Is the health care reform law constitutional?

By Rep. Bobby Schilling
Dear Friend,

As you may know, the Supreme Court is in the process of deciding whether or not the federal government can require all Americans to purchase health insurance under the Constitution.  This mandate, included in the President's health care reform law, is an unprecedented form of federal action and government overreach.

When the health care reform law was pushed into law more than two years ago, we were told that the more Americans learned about it, the more they would like it.  That has not happened.  Americans remain strongly opposed to the health law and its expansion of the role of government in their lives.

Your input is important to me, and I want to hear your thoughts.


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Click here to take the survey.
*By filling out this survey, you are subscribing to receive my e-mail updates.

Remember that you can always send me a more detailed message with your thoughts or questions regarding any issue that is important to you by clicking here.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views with me.  My staff and I always appreciate your feedback, and are here to help.  If there is anything we can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to give any of my offices a call.  Contact information for each of them can be found at the bottom of this email.

Thank you for placing your trust in me.  It is an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,
Bobby Schilling
Member of Congress

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