All posts tagged Esther Golar

Illinois House Committee Approves Health Insurance Parity for Substance Abuse Treatment

(Springfield, IL) – March 16, 2011. An Illinois House panel yesterday approved legislation requiring parity of health insurance coverage for substance use disorder treatment services in Illinois.

The House Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee voted 10-0 for the measure, House Bill 1530, a plan that advocates claim will generate health care savings and boost worker productivity.

“With the passage of this legislation, employers will see decreased health care costs and increased worker productivity.” said Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association CEO Sara Moscato Howe. “Additionally, across Illinois, we will see a reduction in accidents, absenteeism and crime while building healthy parents and families.”

Research shows that patients that have completed substance use disorder treatment have been shown to reduce emergency room visits by 39%, hospital stays by 35% and total medical costs by 26%, according to Howe.

The bill is being sponsored by House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie).

Illinois Department of Insurance Director Michael McRaith testified before the Committee that the independent U.S. Congressional Budget Office found that parity will only cause health insurance premiums to rise by 0.4 percent.

Howe also stressed the importance of ensuring that Illinoisans in need of substance use disorder treatment have equal access to addiction services and equitable insurance coverage.

“Addiction is a chronic disease, like diabetes, asthma or hypertension, and paying for its treatment yields as good a return as paying for treatment for other chronic illnesses.”  said Howe.

Bruce Suardini, CEO of Prairie Center Health Systems which covers Central Illinois, testified that the legislation will help provide access to services for thousands of people who previously were unable to access addiction treatment.

In addition to IADDA, other bill supporters include: Humana Healthcare, the Illinois Hospital Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois Psychiatric Society, Illinois Nurses Association, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois, Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing, Illinois Psychological Association, United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois, Don Moss & Associates, Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois, Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Child Care Association of Illinois

“This legislation will improve access to lifesaving addiction treatment by limiting the discriminatory barriers that have kept hundreds of Illinois citizens with substance use disorders from receiving the care they desperately need,” Howe added.

House committee members include State Representatives: Mary Flowers, Karen May, Dennis Reboletti, Luis Arroyo, Will Burns, Lisa Dugan, Esther Golar, David Harris, Greg Harris, Chad Hayes, Rosemary Mulligan, Keith Sommer, and Michael Tryon.

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by Jud DeLoss on March 16, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Illinois Insurance Parity
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on March 16, 2011

https://ilabh.net/2011/03/16/illinois-house-committee-approves-health-insurance-parity-for-substance-abuse-treatment/

Illinois Addiction Health Care Insurance Parity Bill Faces House Panel Vote

(Springfield, IL) – March 14, 2011. An Illinois House panel will vote Tuesday on legislation requiring parity for insurance coverage of substance use disorder services.

The measure, HB1530, which will be called before the House Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee at 4 p.m., will result in health care savings and boost worker productivity, according to the state’s top addiction health care advocacy group.

“With the passage of this legislation, employers will see decreased health care costs and increased worker productivity.” said Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association CEO Sara Moscato Howe. “Additionally, across Illinois, we will see a reduction in accidents, absenteeism and crime while building healthy parents and families.”

The bill is being sponsored by House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie).

Howe also stressed the importance of ensuring that Illinoisans in need of substance use disorder treatment have equal access to addiction services and equitable insurance coverage.

“Addiction is a chronic disease, like diabetes, asthma or hypertension, and paying for its treatment yields as good a return as paying for treatment for other chronic illnesses.”  said Howe.

“This legislation will improve access to lifesaving addiction treatment by limiting the discriminatory barriers that have kept hundreds of Illinois citizens with substance use disorders from receiving the care they desperately need,” Howe added.

House committee members include State Representatives: Mary Flowers, Karen May, Dennis Reboletti, Luis Arroyo, Will Burns, Lisa Dugan, Esther Golar, David Harris, Greg Harris, Chad Hayes, Rosemary Mulligan, Keith Sommer, and Michael Tryon.

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by Jud DeLoss on March 14, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on March 14, 2011

https://ilabh.net/2011/03/14/illinois-addiction-health-care-insurance-parity-bill-faces-house-panel-vote/

Illinois House Panel to Hold Vote on Resolution Calling on Gov. Pat Quinn to Halt Drug Treatment Funding Elimination

 

An Illinois House legislative panel is slated to hold a vote this week on a House resolution calling on Governor Pat Quinn to halt a plan by his administration to eliminate all state funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment services.

State Reps. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Greg Harris (D-Chicago) at a recent press conference calling for a halt on drug treatment funding elimination.

(Springfield, IL) –

The measure, House Resolution 106, which is being sponsored by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and 34 other Democratic and Republican lawmakers, faces a vote in the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday, March 9.

On Friday, February 18, Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Michelle Saddler unexpectedly informed Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association CEO Sara Moscato Howe that all state funding for non-Medicaid alcohol and drug prevention and treatment services would be eliminated by March 15. The move was part of an effort by the Quinn Administration to cut $208 million from the department’s budget, prompting providers to halt services to new clients

After an outcry by prevention and treatment advocates, Quinn reduced the department’s budget cut from $208 million to $100 million to avoid a complete elimination of state funded substance abuse prevention and treatment services. However, the uncertainly of the actual amount to be cut in the next two weeks has prompted some treatment providers to continue their service freeze on new clients.

“Governor Quinn has refused to say equivocally that substance abuse prevention and treatment services are no longer slated for elimination for the remainder of the fiscal year,” said Howe. “That’s why we think that the House Human Services Committee must approve Rep. Feigenholtz’s resolution.”

Quinn’s proposed Fiscal Year 2012 budget, which begins on July 1, 2011, has also targeted state funding for substance prevention and treatment for complete elimination. That move would end alcohol and drug treatment for 55,000 out of the 69,000 people helped in Illinois each year.

“Governor Quinn has already sent a clear signal that he thinks that 55,000 people in treatment are disposable,” said Howe. “That’s why were looking to the legislature to ensure that that the governor’s pledge ‘everybody in, nobody left out when it comes to building a better Illinois’ is honored.”

The hearing will be held in the Stratton Office Building, Room D-1, in Springfield at 8:00 a.m.

In addition to Feigenholtz, the resolution’s sponsors included State Representatives:

Chad Hays, Patricia R. Bellock, Keith Farnham, Daniel Biss, Mary E. Flowers, La Shawn K. Ford, Robyn Gabel, Lou Lang, Maria Antonia Berrios, Esther Golar, Greg Harris, Constance A. Howard, David R. Leitch, Rita Mayfield, Michael W. Tryon, Linda Chapa LaVia, Thomas Holbrook, Deborah Mell, Naomi D. Jakobsson, Michael P. McAuliffe, Jim Watson, Patrick J. Verschoore, Dave Winters, Robert W. Pritchard, Ann Williams, Jack McGuire, William Davis, Lisa M. Dugan, Mark H. Beaubien, Jr., Dennis M. Reboletti, Karen A. Yarbrough, Daniel J. Burke, Annazette Collins and Dan Brady.

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by Jud DeLoss on March 7, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Illinis Substance Abuse Treatment Funding, Illinois Budget, Illinois House of Represenatives
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on March 7, 2011

https://ilabh.net/2011/03/07/illinois-house-panel-to-hold-vote-on-resolution-calling-on-gov-pat-quinn-to-halt-drug-treatment-funding-elimination/

Legislators Want Governor Pat Quinn To Halt Mid-Year Substance Abuse Treatment Budget Eliminations

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)

(Springfield, IL) – At a press conference in Springfield today, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) today unveiled a bi-partisan Illinois House resolution, HR 106, calling on Governor Pat Quinn to halt the elimination of all state funding for non-Medicaid drug and alcohol treatment services effective March.15.

“There is no question that we must make sacrifices as we address our budget problem,” said Watson. “However, it is important that these are shared sacrifices implemented in an equitable manner.”

“Completely eliminating addiction treatment is hardly equitable and if the lack of treatment opportunities resulting in higher rates of incarceration it could prove to be a more costly option,” stated Watson.

Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Michelle Saddler informed Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association CEO Sara Moscato Howe on Friday, February 18 that providers would be notified on Tuesday regarding their contract reductions.

“The mid-year budget cuts will trigger the discharge of 55,000 treatment clients and the lay off of more than 5,000 workers,” said Howe.

“The reason I am participating in this effort to halt this budget elimination is not because I think there should not be any budget reductions. There must be reductions, even in human services,” said Feigenholtz, Chair of the House Human Services Committee.

“However, it looks like the global budgeting principles that the governor spoke about in his recent budget address are not being applied to these mid-year cuts. It seems that they just got thrown out the window.”

“The legislature recognizes that all state services must face funding reductions to put our fiscal house in order,” said Feigenholtz. “Such budget cuts should be fair and balanced and thoughtfully considered, but Governor Quinn’s cuts to drug treatment fail to meet that criteria.”

The lawmakers said that the contract reductions notifications coming from the Quinn Administration will have a March 15 effective date, but that date is arbitrary, meaning providers have already begun to refuse new clients and are preparing client discharges and staff lay offs this week.

State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) also spoke in behalf of treatment funding restoration at the press conference in Springfield today.

In addition to the fiscal year 2011 mid-year budget cut, Quinn’s proposed fiscal year 2012 budget also eliminates $55 million or 80% of state funding from the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse for prevention and treatment. That move will make the treatment reduction from 69,787 people this year to 13,957 next year, permanent.

As recently as fiscal year 2007, the state served 98,000 people. Quinn’s proposed budget also eliminates addiction prevention services for 229,536 youth.

“We urge Governor Quinn to halt these cults and work with the General Assembly to develop a funding plan that will keep these services operating,” said Feigenholtz.

Other House sponsors include, State Reps: Chad Hays, Patricia. Bellock, Keith Farnham, Daniel Biss, Mary Flowers, LaShawn Ford, Robyn Gabel, Lou Lang, Maria Antonia Berrios, Esther Golar, Greg Harris, Connie Howard, David Leitch, Rita Mayfield, Michael Tryon, Linda Chapa LaVia, Thomas Holbrook and Deborah Mell.

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by Jud DeLoss on February 23, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on February 23, 2011

https://ilabh.net/2011/02/23/legislators-want-governor-pat-quinn-to-halt-mid-year-substance-abuse-treatment-budget-eliminations/

Feigenholtz, Winters Push a Bi-Partisan “5¢ a Drink” Alcohol Tax to Reverse Cuts, Boost Drug, Alcohol Treatment; Mental Health Care

(Springfield, IL) — Illinois’ leading addiction prevention, treatment and mental health advocates today unveiled legislation at a Springfield press conference that increases the state’s alcohol tax by 5¢ a drink to help fund state human services and reduce drinking.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)

The bill, HB 4557, sponsored by State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), would raise $254 million for cash-strapped Illinois and boost addiction healthcare services by $140 million and mental health care services by $92 million and the remaining $22 million would be deposited in the state’s general revenue fund—its daily checkbook.

“A nickel-a-drink increase will raise $254 million to help offset the state budget deficit and provide critical investments to addiction healthcare services,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).

Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, IADDA

Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, IADDA

“Without a financial rescue, without $92 million invested in community mental health care, more than 45,000 will lose mental health services by June 30, 2010 according to our new survey,” said Frank Anselmo, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association.

“Illinois’ chronically under funded addiction and mental health care services need dedicated money from an alcohol tax to maintain care and taxpayers need to know their money is being wisely spent,” said Feigenholtz, Chair of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee and a state budget negotiator, who noted Governor Pat Quinn’s budget cuts the programs further.

“Instead of throwing these services a lifeline, Governor Quinn’s budget throws then an anchor,” said

State Rep. Dave Winters (R-Shirland)

State Rep. Dave Winters (R-Shirland)

Feigenholtz.

The nickel-a-drink tax would be applied on wholesale alcohol by the gallon that is distributed as packaged beer, wine, or distilled spirits to stores or as beverages purchased at bars, restaurants, and hotels.

A “drink” is 12 oz of beer (bottle), 5 oz of wine (glass), and 1.5 oz of liquor (1.5 shots). Using this definition, a nickel-a-drink tax would add 30 cents per six-pack of beer, 25 cents per bottle of wine, and 85 cents per 750 ml bottle of liquor.

In addition to funding state addiction prevention, treatment and mental health services, the nickel-a-drink would reduce drinking consumption by five million gallons or 2 percent annually. The estimated drop in consumption would be up to 3.94% for beer and cider, 2.5% for wine, and 6.76% for spirits

State Rep. Naomi Jakobbson (D-Champaign)

State Rep. Naomi Jakobbson (D-Champaign)

“We will reduce the probability of accidents among adults and youth alike,” said Howe.

Howe noted alcohol abuse and drunk driving continue to exact a terrible, deadly toll on youth and children in communities throughout Illinois.

She pointed to the most recent media reports of drug and alcohol-related driving tragedies which reinforce the need for adequate addiction healthcare funding.

  • February 5 Edwardsville, IL – “A wrong-way driver whose license was yanked several times for alcohol-related offenses caused the crash early today that killed two adults and a boy and left an 11-year-old girl hospitalized.
  • February 17 Johnsburg, IL –“Police are investigating who provided alcohol to a 17-year-old Johnsburg High School student who froze to death after a minor car accident last month.
  • February 18 Elgin, IL – “The blood-alcohol level of an Elgin teen who crashed into a house last fall, killing his passenger, was nearly three times the legal limit for driving, police said…

Howe also noted an Illinois Department of Human Services study revealed that in 2006 nearly 40 percent of Illinois 12th graders had ridden in a car with a drunk or high teenager in the last year and 30 percent had the same experience with a drunk or high adult.

Illinois last raised the alcohol tax in 1999 and before that in 1969.

State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)

State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)

Joining Feigenholtz as co-sponsors of the legislation are State Representatives: Dave Winters (R-Shirland) Deborah Mell (D-Chicago),  Greg Harris (D-Chicago), Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), Esther Golar (D-Chicago), Naomi Jakobbson (D-Champaign).

Advocates are also looking to gain Governor Quinn’s support for the nickel-a-drink tax increase to reverse his initial budget cuts.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the final state budget by their scheduled May 31 adjournment.

A simple majority of lawmakers is required to pass a budget if voted on or before May 31. If after May 31, a 3/5th super-majority would be needed to approve the annual state spending plan.

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by Jud DeLoss on May 14, 2009  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on May 14, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/05/14/feigenholtz-pushes-%e2%80%9c5%c2%a2-a-drink%e2%80%9d-alcohol-tax-to-reverse-cuts-boost-drug-alcohol-treatment-mental-health-care/