"The Path to Transformation" Proposal Designed to Reduce Costs and Improve Health of People Across Illinois

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today released the draft of five-year plan for one of the most innovative and far-reaching healthcare transformation programs in the country. The "The Path to Transformation" proposal would allow the state to obtain $5.2 billion in federal funds over five years to modernize healthcare infrastructure and services and lower long-term costs. The plan, which requires federal approval, is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve the health of the people of Illinois and increase access to quality, affordable healthcare.

"Illinois has made tremendous progress in recent years reforming and improving our healthcare system to control costs and deliver better quality care," Governor Quinn said. "This plan will help take our healthcare system to the next level - improving the health of people and communities across Illinois while significantly lowering our long-term costs."

The proposal - known as a federal 1115 Waiver demonstration project - is one of the key recommendations of the state's Alliance for Health, a state-led group of health policy leaders, providers, insurers and other stakeholders that was convened by the Governor's Office last year. Through the project, the state is requesting federal matching funds for approximately $1 billion annually for five years for services that are currently funded solely through state resources. By investing these matching funds in improving the delivery system, especially for people with special needs, the plan will lower costs over the long run for both the state and federal governments.

The plan will also support Governor Quinn's recently announced Birth to Five Initiative by providing support for parents through a home visit program keyed to the early months of a child's life.

The state has posted a draft of the plan, which was crafted through a process that included extensive consultations with healthcare advocates and leaders of the healthcare delivery system. Public hearings on the draft are scheduled for Feb. 14 and Feb. 20 (see below for details on the hearings). The state plans to formally submit the proposal on March 12.

The proposal would build on and accelerate Governor Quinn's Rebalancing Initiative, under which the state is making it possible for people with disabilities and mental health challenges to receive the care they need in their own homes and communities instead of institutions. Federal approval of the waiver will allow the state to consolidate nine separate existing programs that serve populations with special needs and are run by various state agencies. The Path to Transformation will give the state the flexibility to manage the programs more efficiently so that they achieve the triple aim of reducing costs, improving healthcare outcomes and giving people more and better options for care in their own communities.

The plan is organized around four pathways to health: transformation and modernization of the delivery system to create patient-centered health homes; improving the overall health of the population through a focus on prevention, primary care and wellness; building a 21st Century healthcare workforce; and rebuilding and expanding the state's home and community-based infrastructure, especially for those with complex health and behavioral health needs.

The Path to Transformation Plan has won praise from healthcare advocates and providers who have been closely consulted during its formulation.

"The Illinois Hospital Association appreciates Governor Quinn's leadership on the 1115 Medicaid Waiver, and we support the general direction of the waiver to bring in critically needed federal funding to transform the Medicaid program to ensure effective, coordinated care for the most vulnerable citizens of Illinois," IHA President & CEO Maryjane Wurth said. "We look forward to working with the Governor and his Administration, as well as the General Assembly, as the state moves forward with submitting the waiver application to the federal government."

"This 1115 Waiver application gives Illinois the best opportunity it has ever had to address the root causes of ill health," Health and Medicine Policy Research Group Executive Director Margie Schaps said. "This will empower Illinois to weave a system of care that prevents people from falling through the cracks, that supports people who wish to remain in their homes and communities rather than institutions, and it will also bend the rising curve of healthcare costs."

"The Path to Transformation plan is an opportunity for the state to garner federal funds to make badly needed investments in the community behavioral health and supportive housing infrastructure," Mark Ishaug, the CEO of Thresholds, a major mental health provider and advocacy group, said. "We are confident the waiver will result in improved health outcomes and reduced Medicaid costs over the long run."

"The inclusion of home visiting in the waiver plan will be a critical piece of Governor Quinn's Birth to Five Initiative," Voices for Illinois Children President Gaylord Gieseke said. "All the research shows that outreach to families at this crucial time in a child's development has a significant positive impact on the child's overall health as well as their social and emotional development."

The waiver application is being led by the state's Office of Health Innovation and Transformation (OHIT) on behalf of several state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Department on Aging.

"We know that we can achieve better healthcare outcomes and lower costs when people live in healthy, safe communities with access to high quality healthcare delivery systems in which provider teams work with patients to achieve a state of physical, mental and emotional well-being," the Governor's Senior Health Policy Advisor Michael Gelder, who leads the OHIT, said. "On behalf of Governor Quinn, I would like thank the many stakeholders who have contributed their time and expertise to helping us draft this proposal."

For more information about the waiver application, go to: http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/healthcarereform/Pages/1115Waiver.aspx.

Details regarding the two public hearings are below:

Friday, February 14
9 a.m. to 12 noon
Howlett Auditorium
Michael J. Howlett Building
501 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62756

Thursday, February 20
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Assembly Hall Auditorium   
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601

CANTON, MO (02/10/2014)(readMedia)-- Culver-Stockton students are performing a centuries-old dramatic piece as part of the spring semester fine arts offerings. Euripides' "Ion" was first produced in ancient Greece, but has overtones of contemporary drama. A tragedy with a happy ending, the plot of "Ion" includes abandoned children and jealous relatives, attempted murder and tourist attractions, sexual assault and confusing prophecies, reunited families, an overzealous chorus and appearances by two Greek gods.

Ian Sodawasser, senior musical theatre major from Davenport, Iowa, is cast as Xouthos.

"Ion" runs in the Mabee Little Theatre, Feb. 20-22 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. This performance is directed by Dr. Ron Zank, assistant professor of theatre at Culver-Stockton.

Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.

Children Grades 1-8 Encouraged to Audition

Kids in grades 1-8 are invited to audition for the May 9-11 production of Hansel and Gretel by Vera Morris, directed by Dave Helmuth.  Auditions are Friday, February 21 from 3:30-6pm and Saturday, February 22 from 11am-2pm in the lower level of the Coralville Public Library.

This version of the classic fairy tale features a large cast portraying Hansel, Gretel, other children and adults, the witch, goblins, ogres, sprites, gingerbread cookies, forest animals and more!

Auditioners may drop in during the scheduled audition times.  Those auditioning may prepare a short monologue or be prepared to do a cold reading from provided scripts.  Please bring a list of all conflicts through May 11.  Please note that tech week rehearsal and performances (May 4-11) will be mandatory for all participants. Auditions are competitive; Young Footliters will cast as many children as feasible but cannot guarantee all will be cast.

Performances are at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts Friday, May 9 at 7pm, Saturday, May 10 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday, May 11 at 2pm.  The participation fee will be $40 for each child cast.

More information on Young Footliters and an audition form can be found at www.coralvillearts.org.

CORALVILLE, Iowa – City Circle Acting Company of Coralville is partnering with several local businesses to stage a clothing drive and auction to benefit the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP).

The DVIP provides support and advocacy to victims, many of whom are women in need of clothing to where to job interviews, work, or court appearances. Having access to quality professional clothing helps these women present a positive appearance and gain confidence as they rebuild their lives.

City Circle is holding the clothing drive and auction in tandem with its production of Nora and Delia Ephron's Love, Loss, and What I Wore, which runs Feb. 14-16 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for the show are $12 to $27 and are available online at coralvillearts.org, by phone at 319-248-9370, or in person at the CCPA box office.

"City Circle was inspired by the stories told within Love, Loss and What I Wore to partner with the DVIP to raise awareness about the victims and survivors of domestic violence and the meaningful work of the DVIP," says Emil Rinderspacher, Chair of City Circle Board of Directors.

Based on the best seller by Ilene Beckerman as well as the recollections of the Ephrons' friends, the show uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to: mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses, and why we only wear black. Nine local businesses donated designer dresses, which the actresses will wear in the show, and the dresses will be auctioned off after the final production Feb. 16. All proceeds from the online auction will go to the DVIP.

Donations of gently worn professional clothing and accessories will be accepted at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts during the performances or at Catherine's Boutique  (7 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City) during regular business hours Feb. 10-22.

Catherine Champion, owner of Catherine`s, donated two dresses to the show and her shop is serving as a drop off location for the clothing drive. "We are big supporters of City Circle and the DVIP and the work they do. Please donate to this wonderful cause," Champion says.

Other local businesses donating dresses for the production and auction are: Dress Barn, Domby, Dulcinea, Francesca's, JC Penney, Revival, Textiles, and Velvet Coat.

More information: www.citycircle.org

Contact: Emil Rinderspacher, 319-331-7451 or emil@citycircle.org