Thank you for attending the Care Over Cost Town Hall! 📣💪
Dear Neighbor,
Last weekend’s Care Over Cost Town Hall with The People's Lobby, State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, and State Sen. Rob Martwick was a big success! Thanks to everyone who joined us! We gathered with over 70 neighbors for meaningful dialogue on navigating claims denials and other barriers to accessing healthcare.
We heard testimonies from our neighbors on their challenges with claims denials for labs, essential medication refills, and medically necessary procedures. We learned about assistance provided by the IL Department of Insurance and upcoming legislation to create more access to healthcare, including mental healthcare. We heard about the need to raise reimbursement rates for Medicaid to expand provider networks, as there are 4 million Medicaid enrollees in Illinois– a third of the state population! And we made the call to action to continue advocating for legislation that will bring us closer toward ensuring healthcare as a human right for all.
This week, Governor Pritzker’s 2024 State of the State and Budget Address introduced the Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act with intentions of lowering healthcare costs for Illinoisans and curbing predatory insurance practices.
It aims to target prior authorization, with the goal of ensuring insurance companies use the same definitions about medical necessity as doctors, ban prior authorization for in-patient adult and children's mental health care, prohibit insurance companies from selling Short Term Limited Duration plans, enforce network adequacy, and prevent insurance companies from unfairly increasing rates. This is a transformative piece of legislation that takes square aim at some of the insurance industry’s most abusive and harmful practices, and I’m very excited to support it.
I look forward to working with my colleagues, constituents, and communities in pursuit of equitable, dignified healthcare for all.
All my best,
Will
Chicago Public Schools Annual School Food Survey
Chicago Public Schools are conducting an Annual School Food Survey to gather feedback from parents and students on the District’s free meal program. The survey, along with food tastings and focus groups, helps CPS tailor menu items to meet the needs and preferences of students and families while adhering to nutrition requirements. All students and parents/guardians are encouraged to participate. The survey will remain open until midnight on Friday, March 1.
25th Police District Council Meeting
The 25th Police District Council will be joined by Ujimaa Medics for their meeting on Wednesday, February 28, at 6pm at Amundsen Fieldhouse, 6200 W Bloomingdale Ave. Ujimaa Medics will lead an Emergency and Community Care First Response Skill Training open to the public.
Lakefront and DuSable Lake Shore Drive Community Visioning Survey
Better Streets Chicago wants to learn more about the public’s thoughts on the future of DuSable Lake Shore Drive and the lakefront. This 15 minute survey asks about Chicagoans’ transportation habits, relationship with the lakefront parks, and our collective vision for the future of DLSD and the lakefront. All responses remain anonymous and the results will be used by Better Streets Chicago as part of their ongoing advocacy supporting an alternative vision for DLSD. You can access the survey in English or in Spanish.
IDFPR License Renewal
A number of professional licenses are up for renewal with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with upcoming deadlines on March 31 and April 30. You can renew your license by logging into your account at https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/. Reach out to our office at (773) 853-2570 or at will@repguzzardi.com for assistance.