November 20, 2008
 

With a historic election now behind us, we look to President-elect Barack Obama who offers new opportunities to move forward policies and legislation that will better serve women, children and their families.

Newsletter Archive

Visit our newsletter archive to read about recently listed articles from past issues. Past topics include:

• Voting in Illinois
• Get Involved with the School Health Center Back-to-School Campaign!
• Submit Stories for Covering Kids and Families Wall Calendar!

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Ask Congress to restore the Family Medical Leave Act!

With just 66 days left in office and in the midst of an unprecedented economic meltdown, President Bush is rolling back protections for working families by modifying released regulations that modify the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The FMLA is the only federal law specifically targeted to giving workers the time they need to care for their families. It provides qualified workers with 12 weeks of unpaid leave to recover from their own serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition or to bond with a new child. 

Under the new regulations:

• Employers will have more direct access to the health care providers and health information of workers and their family members, jeopardizing workers’ medical privacy.
  
  
• Workers will have less time to give notice of their need for leave while employers get more time to let them know whether the request for leave has been approved, making it harder for workers to access FMLA leave.
  
  
• Workers will have more requirements regarding fitness for duty policies and more procedures for requesting FMLA leave, which will make it easier for employers to delay or deny FMLA leave. 
  
  
• It will be more difficult for workers to use their paid leave (such as paid vacation) while on FMLA leave — making it impossible for some workers to take FMLA leave at all.
  

Since January 1, 2007, more than 24 million children’s products were recalled for excessive lead levels. Lead exposure causes permanent health problems for children, pregnant women, and other adults.

SB2860 amends the Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act to require that manufacturers include lead warning statements on children’s products that contain more than 40 ppm lead, including:

• Jewelry made for or marketed to children under the age of 12;
  
  
• Child care products designed for or intended for use by the manufacturer to facilitate the sleep, relaxation or feeding of children under the age of six; and
  
  
• Painted toys designed for or intended for use by children under the age of 12.

Visit IMCHC’s e-advocacy center to send an email to your State Senator and ask them to support SB2860. 

Ask your State Senator to Support HB5516

The difficulty in finding a job is one of the greatest challenges facing people with criminal convictions. Yet, even after completing their time in prison, people with felony records are often excluded from opportunities for meaningful employment.  

HB 5516 would help:

• Expand eligibility for Certificates of Good Conduct and Certificates of Relief from Disability. This would allow for more people with criminal convictions to be employed in a larger number of jobs.
  
  
• Create job opportunities for people with felony convictions makes our communities safer. A 2005 Loyola University study found that those who attain 30 days of employment after leaving prison achieved a 67% reduction in recidivism.
  
• Protect employers from liability, thus removing a barrier faced by many people returning from prison when seeking work.

Visit IMCHC’s e-advocacy center to send an email to your State Senator and ask them to support HB5516.

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Campaign for Better Health Care’s Annual Meeting – November 25th

On November 25th, hundreds of health care activists from across Illinois will attend the Campaign for Better Health Care’s (CBHC) 2008 Annual Meeting. Those involved in the fight for health care justice will discuss the progress that has been made this year on Tuesday, November 25th from 9am-3:30pm. More importantly, plans will be made for 2009, a year that could see the dramatic reshaping of the health care reform landscape!

The meeting will take place at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza in Chicago. State legislative leaders and national advocates have been invited to speak. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CBHC’s website or contact Kathleen Duffy at 312-913-9449.

2008 Medicaid and Health Care Policy Summit

Health & Disability Advocates and AARP Illinois are hosting the 2008 Medicaid and Health Care Policy Summit on Friday, December 5th from 9am-3pm. The summit will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott in Chicago, located at 165 E. Ontario Street.

Registration is free and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Register online by visiting HDA’s website. For more information about the summit, please contact Stephanie Altman or Stephani Becker with HDA at 312-223-9600.

Paid Leave Town Hall Meetings 

Almost half of all employees in the private sector—including more than 75 percent of low-wage workers—do not get a single paid sick day. The Illinois Paid Leave Coalition is working to pass legislation that will enact paid sick days through the Healthy Workplace Act (HB 5320). This legislation will:

• Allow employees to earn up to 7 paid sick days per year, accrued hourly for every 30 hours worked.
  
  
• Provide leave: 1) for an employee’s own illness; 2) to care for the illness of an employee’s family member; or 3) for medical appointments.
  
• Require employers who do not already provide at least 7 paid sick days to pay for this standard employment benefit when needed by their workers.

You can voice your opinions and tell your story at an upcoming town hall meeting on Monday, November 24th from 7-8:30pm at the Countryside Church, 1025 N. Smith Road in Palatine. To RSVP, call 312-933-0655. Visit Women Employed’s website for more information.

Southern Illinois Women’s Teen Conference – Feb 21, 2009

The 15th Southern Illinois Women's Teen Conference will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2009. It is for girls in grades 7-12 and it will take place at John A. Logan College in Carterville. There will be two keynote speakers, one to start the day and one to wrap it up as well as two breakout sessions with a variety of topics from which to choose. We will have an adults-only session during each of the break-outs for adult chaperones to attend.

As soon as the program is finalized the registration form will be available on the website . Please call 618-985-2828, ext. 8604 or email womenforhealthandwellness@gmail.com to be placed on the mailing list.

Job Opportunity – Program Manager, National Assembly on School-Based Health Care

The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) is currently seeking a Program Manger. Job requirements and responsibilities include:

• project management and evaluation,
  
  
• develop training materials and applications, and
  
  
• deliver training and technical assistance on aspects of school-based health care, including school mental health.
  
  
• Masters degree in public health, mental health, health education, or a related field,
  5-10 years combined project management and training experience. 

The position is located in Washington, DC and is available immediately. For a detailed job description, visit NASBHC’s website. Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter and salary history/ requirements to Alicia Newell. 

Job Announcement – Policy Analyst for the Budget & Tax Policy Initiative, Voices for Illinois Children

Voices for Illinois Children is a non-partisan, statewide, multi-issue child advocacy organization. The Budget & Tax Policy Initiative (BTPI) is committed to producing timely, credible, and accessible analysis of state budget and policy priorities; communicating information and ideas that can raise the level and quality of public discourse on state fiscal issues; and collaborating with other organizations in advancing the development of policy strategies that can enhance the well-being of children and families in Illinois.

Job responsibilities include: background research on relevant policy issues in Illinois and other states; analysis of state budget data and state and local revenue data in Illinois, as well as data from various federal sources; and preparation of issue briefs and policy reports on state budget priorities, selected revenue issues, and substantive policy areas such as education, health care, and family economic security.

Job requirements include knowledge of state budget and tax policy issues; strong analytical and communications skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team; graduate degree in public policy, political science, economics, social welfare, or other related field.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Voices for Illinois Children is an equal opportunity employer and offers a generous benefits package. The position will remain open until filled.

Email résumé and writing samples to Larry Joseph, Director, Budget & Tax Policy Initiative

Despite an improved infant mortality rate, a New York Times editorial criticized the US’s ranking of 29th lowest in infant mortality rates in 2004. According to a report released by the CDC, the U.S. infant mortality rate decreased to 6.71 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2006 from 6.86 in 2005. However, that remains 50% higher than the official national goal of 4.5 deaths per thousand. 

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – October 20, 2008

US Receives Overall “D” Grade for Preterm Birth Rate from March of Dimes

The March of Dimes released a state-by-state “Premature Birth Report Card” which gave the United States an overall “D” grade based on the increased preterm birth rate which was 12.7% in 2005, compared to 11% in 1995.

Illinois also received a “D” based on the state 13.1% preterm birth rate. Vermont was ranked the highest with a 9% rate, but still only received a “B” as the Healthy People 2010 goal is 7.6% or less. Southern states have some of the highest rates in the country, which many attribute to higher rates of poverty and numbers of uninsured. 

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – November 12, 2008

More than a Quarter of Uninsured Children have a Parent with Employer-Based Coverage

About three million, or 27.9%, of the 8.1 million uninsured U.S. children have at least one parent with health insurance. Parents with health insurance typically are covered through a private employer-based insurance system, but many are unable to add dependents because of the added costs. 

To address the coverage gap, the study suggests increasing public outreach and retention efforts to keep eligible children enrolled in public insurance benefits, easing prohibitive barriers and expanding SCHIP.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – October 22, 2008

Data from insurance companies and online brokers show that women generally pay a significant amount more than men for identical individual health insurance policies. Insurance companies attribute this to the fact that women generally use more health services, such as annual checkups and prescriptions, especially during childbearing years, compared to men.

Several states, including Maine, Montana and New York have laws that prohibit gender-based premiums rates for health insurance policies. Additionally, civil rights laws forbid employer-sponsored plans from setting different premium rates for the same benefits based on gender.

In addition to having higher health insurance premiums, women are more likely be uninsured, especially if they are women of color and/or low-income.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – October 31, 2008

Survey Finds Costs Prohibit Many Small Businesses from Providing Health Insurance

A survey found that fifty-nine percent of employers that do not offer health insurance to employees would not pay more than $50 monthly per worker for coverage, and only 10% would pay at least $200 monthly. Forty-three percent of employers that did not offer health insurance to employees cited cost issues and other employers that did not offer health insurance to employees cited turnover among workers and the belief employees would prefer higher wages to coverage.

Additionally, the survey found that 31% of surveyed employers support requirements that require businesses to offer health insurance or pay a penalty while about half of businesses oppose this; about one-fifth had no opinion. 

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – October 22, 2008

Medicaid Costs Projected To Grow 7.9% Annually

A new report projects that Medicaid spending growth will increase at a faster rate over the next decade than the economy in general, which is expected to increase by 4.8% annually, while health care spending is expected to rise by 6.7% annually. In 2017, Medicaid will make up 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP), and Medicaid and Medicare combined will make up 6.9% of GDP. Medicare spending is expected to increase by about 7.4% annually through 2017.

The report forecast that Medicaid enrollment will grow by 1.8% to 50 million this year. Over the next 10 years, enrollment is projected to grow by 1.2% annually to 55.1 million in 2017.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – October 20, 2008 

Democratic Lawmakers Call for Additional Medicaid Funding in Economic Stimulus

In response to growing Medicaid rolls and decreased state revenue, House Democrats have expressed a strong interest in including additional Medicaid funds for states as part of a federal economic stimulus package that may be considered during the lame-duck session. Recommendations from Governors and other state officials have ranged from $20 -$50 billion over the next two years, but House members estimate a much small amount.

Across the nation, 41 states have faced or are currently facing large deficits. Illinois’ budget deficit is projected to be at least $2 billion and as high as $2.8 billion.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – November 14, 2008

Hawaii Ends Universal Health Care Program for Children

Seven months after it started, Hawaii is ending funding for Keiki Care, its universal health care program for children because of state budget shortfalls. Starting November 1st, Hawaii no longer provides funding for the 2,000 children enrolled in the program, but private partner Hawaii Medical Service Association has agreed to pay for the children’s coverage through the end of 2008.

Families with children enrolled in Keiki Care are being encouraged to apply for Medicaid coverage or enroll in HMSA Children's Plan, which costs about $55 per month. However, most are expected to have incomes too high to qualify for other programs.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – October 17, 2008

Study Shows Race, Health Insurance Status Affect Outcome of Trauma Care

A new study finds that when compared with whites, blacks had a 17% increased risk of death after trauma and Hispanics had a 47% increased risk. Among those who were insured, Hispanics were 51% more likely than whites to die after being treated for a trauma injury, and blacks had a 20% higher mortality rate than whites. Lack of insurance was the most significant predictor of outcome, and minorities were more likely than whites to be uninsured.

Source: Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report – October 21, 2008

According to CDC, No Link Between Gardasil and Adverse Events

A CDC study of reported deaths and serious adverse effects in girls and women who received Merck's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil, shows that the events are not likely related to the vaccine. Eleven of the deaths were attributed to other diseases, such as diabetes or meningitis, and not linked to the vaccine. According to CDC officials, the other deaths either are still under investigation or did not include enough information to assess. 

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – October 22, 2008

British Government Announces Plans for Compulsory Sex Education in Public Schools

Recommendations from a review of sex education in Britain’s public schools has resulted in compulsory sex education classes for primary school students aged 5 to 16, in order to boost efforts to reduce teen pregnancy rates. Primary school students will be taught about parts of the body, puberty and how to talk about feelings and friendships, while secondary school students will learn about stable relationships and the possible results of risky sexual behavior.

Britain’s teen pregnancy rate is the highest in Western Europe and the government made it a target goal in 1999 to cut the rate in half by 2010.

Source: National Partnership for Women and Families Daily Women’s Health Policy Report – October 24, 2008

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IMCHC’s Annual Meeting and Luncheon
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
Maggiano’s Little Italy
516 N. Clark Street in Chicago
Contact Lilah Hander for more information

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