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There's still time to take your voice to DC in the fight against
breast cancer!
Beyond Ribbons to Revoluation
NBCCF's Annual Advocacy Training Conference
Washington, DC
April 29 - May 2, 2006
Learn
more!
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April 2006 IlliNOISY News
Watch for each month's edition
in your inbox on the first Tuesday of the month.
DOD BCRP Enjoys Strong Support from
Illinois Members
Our Illinois Members of Congress have again shown their strong support of the
DOD Breast Cancer Research Program by signing the Dear
Colleague letter in support of full funding of the DOD BCRP in FY 2007.
The following Illinois Members of Congress signed the letter in FY 2007:
- Sen. Durbin
- Sen. Obama
- Rep. Rush
- Rep. Jackson
- Rep. Lipinksi
- Rep. Gutierrez
- Rep. Emanuel
- Rep. Davis
- Rep. Bean
- Rep. Schakowsky
- Rep. Weller
- Rep. Costello
- Rep. Biggert (sponsor of the letter)
- Rep. Johnson
- Rep. Manzullo
- Rep. Evans
- Rep. Shimkus
Don't see your elected officials listed here? Call, fax, or e-mail them to let them know you're disappointed in their lack of
support for this life saving program!
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Health Insurance Coverage of Women Ages
18-64
New fact sheet provides state-by-state data on the
uninsured rate, as well as rates of private insurance coverage and Medicaid coverage, among women nationally. Click here.
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Get It Off Your
Chest!
For years we've been looking for cures for breast cancer. Why aren't we also looking for causes? Now's your chance to help!
Take a minute now to get it off your chest and explain why the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act matters to you and why
it should matter to Congress! Share your thoughts, comments and experiences. And, if you wish, put a face on breast cancer by sharing your photo or
the photo of someone else impacted by breast cancer. Then see and read about others.
Passage of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act would authorize $30 million for five years to NIEHS to study the potential links between
the environment and
breast cancer.
Visit www.lesspinkmoreresearch.org to share your thoughts and explain why research on breast cancer and the environment should matters to
you and should matter to Congress, too!!!
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American Airlines is helping eight IlliNOISY Advocates to attend the 2006 NBCC Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC.
Thank you American Airlines!
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Rep. Evans Announces Retirement, Citing
Health Problems
Rep. Lane Evans, D-Ill., sidelined for more than a month by a worsening of his Parkinson’s disease,
announced recently that he will not seek re-election this year because of his deteriorating health. In a letter that closed with “Semper
Fi,” Evans, a former Marine and the top Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said, “When I announced in 1998 that
I
had Parkinson’s disease, my doctor said that this condition would not interfere with my work and that I would be able to perform at a high
level for a number of years,” he said. “That window of opportunity is now closing.
“I have come to recognize that the time needed to address my health makes it difficult to wage a campaign and carry out my work as
representative,” Evans continued. “I will return soon and to the best of my ability complete the important work of this term in my
roles as representative and ranking member” of the committee.
National Health Policy
News
Most People Seeking Treatment in Emergency Departments Have
Health Insurance, Study Says
Most emergency department patients have health insurance and regular primary care physicians, according to a study published by the American College
of Emergency Physicians, the Los Angeles Times reports. Read more.
CQ HealthBeat Examines Bush Administration Plan To Improve
Price Transparency
CQ HealthBeat recently examined the Bush administration's plan to
disclose price and quality data from health care providers. According to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, government analysts will examine claims data
from Medicare, Medicaid, the Department of Defense and Federal Employee Health Benefits programs so that "price and quality data will be available
for each hospital and doctor." Read more.
Medicare Drug Benefit Program To Feature Fewer Plans Next
Year
Market forces have helped lower prescription drug prices and will reduce the number of plans offered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit
next year, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt told insurance executives recently at a meeting sponsored by America's Health Insurance Plans, CQ HealthBeat
reports. Read more.
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Breast
Cancer: Covered or Not? A Guide on Insurance*
This
recently released guide can help patients to navigate the often confusing health insurance
system. You can download the PDF
version online for free.
*Developed
by the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.
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What's Happening
In Other States
Tennessee Governor Proposes Insurance Plan To Cover Up
to 185,000 State Residents
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) announced a multifaceted
health insurance plan called Cover Tennessee that could provide coverage to as many as 185,000 residents over the next three years at an estimated
cost of $190 million, the Tennessean reports. The "centerpiece" of the plan is a program that would offer basic health insurance to the working poor
who have been uninsured for at least six months. Read more.
NY Legislature Considering Bills To
Require Businesses To Offer Health Benefits
Under legislation unveiled in the New York state Legislature recently, many employers would be required
to provide workers health insurance. The Fair Share for Health Care act is based on a proposal by the Working Families Party. Read more.
Proposal To Allow Maine's DirigoChoice Program To Be
Self-Insured Causes Concern
Proponents of a proposal to change Maine's DirigoChoice program to a self-insured health insurance program "had a hard time convincing skeptics" at a
legislative hearing on Tuesday that the proposal would make the program more affordable. Read more.
Efforts by Tobacco Companies To Reduce Settlement
Payments May Affect State Health Care Programs
Large tobacco companies that make annual payments to states
under the 1998 national tobacco settlement maintain that they can reduce their payments by $1.2 billion this year, and state governments "addicted to
billions in revenue from" the settlement "have begun to worry that they will have to cut back" on health care and other programs. Read more.
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Need help paying for medicines?
Call 888-4PPA-NOW or check online to see if you qualify.
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Did You
Know?
~ Many U.S. residents support higher reimbursements from
health insurers for
hospitals and medical groups that provide higher-quality care, but few would pay
higher premiums for such care, according to a recent WSJ.com/Harris Interactive poll.
~ Nationally, over 17 million – nearly one in five- non-elderly women were uninsured in 2004; rates vary across the country, from a low
of 9% in Minnesota to a high of 29% in Texas.
~ Although about two-thirds of women and men have job-based
coverage, women are less likely to be insured through their own job (38% vs. 50%, respectively) and more likely to have dependent coverage (25% vs.
13%).
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Y-ME Ilinois
203 N. Wabash, Suite 1220
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 364-9071, ext. 19
Fax: (312) 364-90066
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