Governor Blagojevich unveiled his FY09 state budget on February 20th. His budget included a proposal for child tax credits, tax relief for some Illinois businesses, funding for a capital program and several health care expansion initiatives.

Part of the proposed health care expansion includes the “Roadmap to Health” which includes $3 million for school health centers that would support new and existing centers. IMCHC will be closely monitoring this along with the employer assessment, which is the proposed revenue source for the health care expansions.   Click here for more details about the Governor’s proposal.  

The Governor’s address focused on the growing number of families whose budgets are being squeezed by basic living expenses, including health insurance, housing, groceries and utilities. IMCHC’s 2008 policy agenda continues to prioritize the needs of these families. We plan to work with advocacy partners in Springfield and at the federal level to ensure that these families stay on the agenda of legislative leaders. Visit IMCHC’s website for our policy agenda and a list of legislation we are tracking in 2008.

Please consider becoming a new member or renewing your membership with IMCHC and help support our efforts in Springfield and other communities throughout the state to help make Illinois the healthiest state for women, children and families.

IMCHC welcomes new CAIC project director & project coordinator

Lisa Kritz has joined the IMCHC family as the new project director for the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign (CAIC). Lisa was the Director of the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Immunization Action Plan in the early 1990’s. Lisa also staffed CAIC in its first years when it was housed at Children and Youth 2000. She can be reached by emailing lkritz@ilmaternal.org.

IMCHC is pleased to announce that Melissa Ponce, will be the new Project Coordinator for the CAIC. Formerly, she was the Project Associate for Covering Kids & Families Illionois. She can be reached by emailing mponce@ilmaternal.org.

Celebrate School Health Center Awareness Month

March is School Health Center Awareness Month, and the Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers will be busy at work hosting meetings with state legislators, educating groups across the state on the school health center model across the state and gearing up for their Advocacy Day on April 9th.

If you are interested in getting involved, please email Megan Erskine or contact her at 312-491-8161.

IMCHC Annual Report now online

IMCHC’s FY07 annual report is now online. Visit our website to download a copy. IMCHC members should be receiving a copy by mail, along with 2008 membership forms, in the next few weeks.

CAIC accepting nominees for immunization award

Do you work with a provider or organization that provides exceptional immunization care? Has an elected official or administrator been especially helpful with vaccine policy? If so, the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign is now accepting nominees for its “Champion of Immunizations” award. The winner will be announced at the CAIC Spring General Meeting on April 16th. Categories include: Program, Volunteer, Policy Maker and Other.

Fill out a nomination form online; contact Melissa Ponce at 312-491-8161x33 or by email for more information.

Join SOUND THE ALARM

IMCHC and our partner, the Campaign for Better Health Care, encourages all faith community partners to participate in a simple, but powerful advocacy event to raise awareness of the deepening health care crisis affecting our communities.  

Summon your congregation to “SOUND THE ALARM!” during the first weekend of April 2008.  Congregations across the state will join together in prayer and then “sound the alarm” with a horn, bell or Shofar sounding 18 times for the 1.8 million uninsured people in Illinois.

Donate your used cell phones and printer cartridges to raise money for IMCHC!

IMCHC is accepting used cell phones, ink jet and laser printer cartridges for recycling to support our newest fundraising effort. Drop off your old cell phones and empty printer cartridges to our 1256 W. Chicago Avenue office or pass them along to an IMCHC staff member at a meeting. We can also supply posters if you are interested in organizing an office or church collection effort.

For more information about this fundraising initiative, contact Lilah Handler.

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Oppose restrictions on federal support for Medicaid services

The Bush administration proposed several Medicaid regulations that, if implemented, would have extremely harmful effects on our most vulnerable populations. Some of these regulations include restricting federal support for services provided to children in schools and rehab services for children and people with disabilities.

Contact your member of Congress and urge your Senators and Representative to delay the implementation of these harmful proposals.

Organizations are also urged to sign onto a letter that will be sent to the entire Illinois delegation. Visit IMCHC’s website to view the letter and to sign on.

See a new report from the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for how Illinois would be impacted by the implementation of these regulations.


Support Federal Authorization for SHCs

The School-Based Health Center Establishment Act (HR4230) was introduced in Congress in November 2007. Similar to S600, it would establish the first federal grant program for school health centers. Illinois Congressman Jan Schakowsky has signed on as an original co-sponsor of the bill, and Congressman Rahm Emanuel signed on in December, but additional House support is necessary.

Contact your local Congressman and encourage them to sign on. For more information about HR4230 or to contact your Congressman, visit the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care’s website or contact Blair Harvey, ICSHC Project Director.

New website unveiled

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP), in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and McKesson Health Solutions, is proud to announce the unveiling of its new continuing education website, www.YHPlus.com, designed to help Illinois primary care providers manage Illinois public healthcare program (Medicaid) patients.

In addition, via IAFP’s CME Website, www.IAFP.com/education, you will be able to track which CME courses you have completed and obtain your CME certificates - simply with the click of a button at the end of each completed online course. There are also great resources on many subjects including:  pediatric asthma, diabetes, adult depression and more.

Satellite training for pre- and interconceptional care

A two-hour satellite training will take place on June 17th from 10am-12pm to reflect on and identify the strategies that were developed to promote an integrated program of women’s wellness in routine encounters with women of childbearing age by incorporating the state-of-the-art practices.

Registration will be available at www.chtc.org closer to the training date.

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National Study Links Cancer Diagnosis to Insurance Coverage

American Cancer Society researchers published a report in The Lancet Oncology that shows that the uninsured and those on Medicaid are more likely than persons with private insurance to be diagnosed with cancer at late stages.

The same study also found that African-Americans had a higher rate of late stage diagnosis, even after taking into account that African-Americans have a higher rate of un- and underinsurance.

The American Cancer Society devoted its entire $15 million advertising budget to the consequences of inadequate health care coverage in fall 2007.

Source: New York Times, American Cancer Society

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Illinois Coalition for School Health Center’s Advocacy Day
April 9th – all day
Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
206 S. Sixth Street in Springfield
Registration begins at 9:30am in Springfield, but buses will depart from various locations earlier that morning.
RSVP to Megan Erskine or contact her for more information

Chicago Area Immunization Campaign’s Spring General Meeting
April 16th, 9am-1pm
Auditorium, UIC School of Public Health
1603 W. Taylor Street in Chicago
RSVP to Melissa Ponce

National Infant Immunization Week Kickoff Press Conference
April 21st, 12pm
Lawndale Christian Health Center
3860 W. Ogden Avenue in Chicago
For more information or to RSVP, contact Melissa Ponce

South Central Illinois Perinatal Advisory Committee
April 25th from 9am-noon*
Carle Foundation in Urbana
RSVP to Lilah Handler
*IMCHC's Central Illinois Chapter meeting will take place from 11am – 12pm

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“Collaboration, Community, Commitment”
Illinois School Health Center Statewide Conference
May 15th and 16th in Springfield
Contact: Blair Harvey, ICSHC Project Director

IMCHC Annual Meeting – 20th Anniversary Kickoff
June 10th at Maggiano’s Little Italy, Chicago
Contact: Lilah Handler, IMCHC Office Manager

IMCHC 20th Anniversary Benefit
September 10th at the Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago
If you are interested in sponsorship or host committee opportunities,
please contact Lilah Handler.

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