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Thank You!

IlliNOISY Advocacy Committee:

A BIG thank you to all Committee members who joined us either in person or by phone for last month’s meeting.

Our next meeting was scheduled for January 21^st, but because it is a holiday and many members will be off of work, the next committee meeting will be rescheduled for the following Monday: January 28^th, 2008.

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Alerts:

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act alert last month. It is crucial that your Representatives hear your voice on this piece of legislation!

It is not too late to respond! Click here to send an email to your Representative asking them to support the Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act.

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Early Bird Registration is Available Now!

The 2008 Annual Advocacy Training Conference in Washington, DC is only a few months away! If you are planning on attending, you can get a reduced rate if you register before December 14^th, 2007.

Click here to register NOW!

"Unlike any conference of its kind, NBCCF's yearly gathering helps participants hone their advocacy skills and learn about the latest in breast cancer science, research and policy. Hear directly about the controversies and issues from important leaders, scientists, and advocates."

NBCC offers scholarships for the registration fee and/or housing costs. Advocates must fill out an application stating their need for financial assistance. Y-ME Illinois will have scholarships applications available to cover the cost of airfare.

Who: Breast cancer advocates from around the country

What: To learn the latest in breast cancer science, policy and research

When: April 26-29^th, 2008 in Washington, DC

Why: To become stronger advocate in your own community

 

*****Would this be the first time attending the conference and don’t know what to expect? Call Rachel Runnals, Advocacy Coordinator at (312) 364-9071x14 to learn more. We are always on the lookout for new advocates interested in getting more involved!*****

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Project LEAD: 2008 Dates

Are you interested in learning more about the science of breast cancer? Becoming a stronger advocate for the breast cancer community? Then check out National Breast Cancer Coalitions’ Project LEAD. If you have any questions, or you would like assistance with your application recommendation, please contact Y-ME Illinois Advocacy! 

Click here to read more about Project LEAD!

The 2008 dates are as follows:

Quality Care: February 27^th-March 2^nd, 2008

Application deadline: January 5^th, 2008

 

Institute:

July 29^th-August 3^rd, 2008

Clinical Trials: TBA

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In Illinois:

Governor Blagojevich announces three more health providers sign on to the newly-expanded Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

Governor Blagojevich welcomed three new health agencies to the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Network this December. Since the program was expanded to all uninsured women in October, more than 3,500 women have signed up to get life-saving screenings and treatment – an increase of 121% since the same period last year.

"Given the budget cuts within Cook County that have closed clinics and slashed health care services creating an emergency health care crisis for the most needy of our community, particularly women and children, the expansion of the IBCCP’s screening is crucial to all women living in the state of Illinois. Y-ME Illinois will work within the Illinois communities to raise awareness of this vital program, and provide any support necessary to ensure that women are taking advantage of this life-saving opportunity," said Nancy Amicangelo, CEO, Y-ME Illinois.

Women can find out how to get breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment by clicking here or by calling the Women’s Health-Line at 888-522-1282.

 

Illinois Coalition Sues State Over Expansion of Family Care [Dec 06, 2007]

The Illinois Coalition for Jobs, Growth and Prosperity filed a lawsuit against the state on Tuesday claiming the expansion of a state-funded insurance program is unconstitutional. The coalition claims the expansion could lead people to sign up for coverage that is never provided and for hospitals to provide services for which no reimbursement is received. The lawsuit names Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Barry Maram and state Comptroller Daniel Hynes as defendants because they would carry out the governor's directive to expand FamilyCare. READ MORE

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National News:

More Than 40M U.S. Residents Say They Cannot Afford Adequate Health Care, According to CDC Study-December 04, 2007

More than 40 million people in the U.S. said that they cannot afford adequate health care and that they did not receive needed health services because of costs, according to an annual report released by the CDC on Monday,Reuters reports. READ MORE

House Speaker Pelosi Promotes Electronic Health Record Efforts in Oregon-November 30, 2007

Oregon could become a national leader in the effort to create centralized electronic health records in the U.S., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Tuesday in Portland, the Oregonian reports. Pelosi said that EHRs are essential for lowering medical costs, reducing medical errors and improving care in rural areas. READ MORE

Uninsured, others less likely to receive breast cancer test-Significant disparities exist in use of axillary lymph node assessment

An American Cancer Society study finds breast cancer patients who lack insurance, who come from areas with lower education levels, who are African American, or who are older are less likely to get a key diagnostic test to make appropriate treatment decisions. The study finds those groups are ten percent to three times more likely not to receive tests to determine if the breast cancer has spread to axillary (underarm) lymph nodes. An abstract of the study was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference on the health disparities, held November 27-30 in Atlanta.