
			Pat Quinn, Governor

State Links

News

Illinois Facts

Living

Health & Wellness

Working

Visiting

Learning

Business

Public Safety

Technology

Economic Stimulus

Government

Help

Home

Stay Informed

Your Government

Search Illinois
[Search Tips]

IGNN: Health/Human Services Press Releases

The Health/Human Services News section provides access to all State of Illinois press releases that have been published relating to health and welfare for the people of Illinois, with issues ranging from prevention, to services, programs, and health announcements.

Health/Human Services : ILLINOIS NEWS

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

2003 Releases

2004 Releases

2005 Releases

2006 Releases

2007 Releases

2008 Releases

Search news

November

2009

November 21, 2009
Governor Quinn Establishes Public Health Advocate During American Diabetes Month
Position Will Educate, Serve as a Strong Voice for Illinois Families
CHICAGO – November 21, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today signed an Executive Order to establish a state Public Health Advocate, who will champion wellness programs and help combat disease, including the rise of Diabetes and Asthma.

November 20, 2009
Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Tap Federal Dollars for Medicaid Providers
New Law Helps Speed Payments to Illinois Hospitals
CHICAGO – November 20, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that allows the state to tap significant federal dollars and speed payments to thousands of Illinois-based hospitals. The new law will improve the financial health of the state’s hospitals, which treat thousands of patients and are major employers.

November 19, 2009
State Public Health Director Announces Launch of Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care Web Site
Information to help make better decisions about health care providers
SPRINGFIELD – In a move to provide more information to Illinoisans trying to decide where to receive medical care, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold today announced the launch of the Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care Web site. The Hospital Report Card Act requires all Illinois hospitals to report nurse staffing, infection prevention measures and hospital acquired infections data to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The Consumer Guide to Health Care contains information from hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers about conditions and procedures demonstrating the widest variation in charges and quality of care. The Web site will include inpatient and outpatient data with current comparison information related to volume of cases, average charges, mortality rates, complications and hospital associated infections.

November 17, 2009
Six Community Events will Highlight Teen REACH Stop the Violence Summit Day
Forums will offer a Chance to see Teen REACH Afterschool Programs in Action
CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope) program announces its first annual statewide Stop the Violence Summit Day, on Thursday, November 19. Stop the Violence Summit Day will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Chicago, McHenry, Champaign, Quincy, and Cairo. Located at six Teen REACH sites throughout Illinois, Stop the Violence Summit Day will showcase the variety of positive prevention programs conducted every day to promote positive youth development and prevent community violence.

November 16, 2009
Illinois Department of Insurance Announces Exit of Unicare Health Insurance Companies from Illinois
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to Offer Coverage to Unicare Policyholders
CHICAGO – Unicare Health Insurance Company of the Midwest, Unicare Life & Health Insurance Company, and Unicare Health Plans of the Midwest Inc. (Unicare) have notified the Department of Insurance of their intent to exit the commercial, individual, small group, and large group health insurance markets in Illinois. The Department has closely supervised this matter in order to protect the interests of Unicare’s policyholders and to ensure that Unicare’s exit is done in compliance with applicable law.

November 3, 2009
IEMA Urges People to Test Homes for Radon during Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November
Radon Poster Contest launched to increase awareness of radon hazards
SPRINGFIELD – November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging people to check their homes this month for a radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon gas, which comes from the decay of naturally-occurring uranium in the soil, has been found in homes in every county in Illinois.

November 3, 2009
IDHS Surveying Illinoisans to Gain Valuable Information About Diabetes
Survey results will help prevent and control diabetes which now affects more than 840,000 children and adults
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Illinois State Diabetes Commission have launched an on-line survey to gain information about diabetes in Illinois. The “Speak Out About Diabetes” survey is used to help identify needs or barriers regarding diabetes prevention and control. The survey is available in English and Spanish at www.dhs.state.il.us.

November 2, 2009
Governor Quinn Highlights Illinois’ Free Medicare Counseling Service
Proclaims SHIP Week to Honor State Program which Offers One-on-One Medicare Counseling Prior to Open-Enrollment Period
CHICAGO – November 2, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed the week of November 2 - 6 as Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Week in Illinois, highlighting the nearly 300,000 hours of free counseling provided by SHIP volunteers to Illinois’ Medicare beneficiaries.