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"Protecting women's access to adequate health care and
contraceptives is one of the most important issues of our day," Mrs.
Blagojevich said. "I am honored to accept this award from Personal
PAC, and I look forward to continuing the fight to get women the
access to health care they need." Personal PAC is a bipartisan
political action committee dedicated to advancing pro-choice
interests.
"First lady Patti Blagojevich is an incredible advocate for the
women and children of Illinois," said Terry Cosgrove, president and
chief executive officer of Personal PAC. "We are delighted to
present her with the Pro-Choice Leadership Award, for her tireless
advocacy of health care equity and reproductive rights."
In July, the first lady launched a website,
www.contraceptives.illinois.gov, that provides information on
which insurers now cover contraceptives. This new coverage, which
was mandated by law when the governor signed the Contraceptive
Equity in Health Insurance Act in 2003, can help women save an
average of $400 per year on the cost of their contraceptives. The
site also includes a toll-free number, 1 (800) 280-4149, and an
online form where women can report to state regulators if their
insurance company is not complying with the new law. In April, the
governor submitted an emergency rule requiring pharmacies that stock
contraceptives to fill all valid prescriptions for birth control
without hassle or delay.
Since her husband took office, Patti Blagojevich has been an
advocate for the women and children of Illinois. In October, the
first lady kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by launching the
Pink Potluck Initiative, which encourages first ladies of
African-American churches to host "Pink Potlucks" -- social events
that promote women's health awareness. Mrs. Blagojevich has also
brought attention to Healthy Families Illinois, a program that helps
prevent child abuse by supporting high-risk parents. In addition,
she has promoted the Prevention Development Resource Project, which
is a partnership between the Department of Children and Family
Services and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, as well as the governor's
landmark All Kids plan, which makes Illinois the only state in the
nation to provide affordable, comprehensive health insurance for
every uninsured child in the state.
"The first lady has taken the lead on so many issues that matter
to women, and one of her priorities has been contraceptive equity,"
said state Sen. Carol Ronen. "She takes a back seat to no one when
it comes to the betterment of children and families."
Over the past two years, the governor has worked with lawmakers
to expand women's access to contraceptives and other important
health care services.
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Contraceptive Equity in Health
Insurance Act: In July of 2003, the governor signed the
Contraceptive Equity in Health Insurance Act, which requires
private health insurance companies that cover prescription drugs
to also cover all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs and devices.
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Contraceptive coverage awareness
campaign: In January 2005, the governor launched a
coordinated effort to inform women that private insurance plans
that cover outpatient drugs or services are now required to
cover all FDA-approved contraceptive services and prescriptions.
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First state to require
pharmacists to dispense female contraceptives: In April, the
governor issued an emergency rule requiring pharmacists whose
pharmacies sell contraception to dispense birth control to women
with valid prescriptions. The governor's emergency rule became
permanent this summer. In addition, the state launched a new
website,
www.contraceptives.illinois.gov, to help women know which
insurers now cover contraceptives.
[to top of second column] |
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First state to make prescription
drugs from Europe and Canada available: Under Blagojevich,
Illinois became the first state to allow its citizens to
purchase prescription drugs from Europe and Canada at discounts
of up to 50 percent. Seven of the most popular contraceptive
prescription drugs are now available through I-Save Rx,
including Ortho-Evra 20-150, Ortho Novum 7/7/7, Ortho-Cyclen,
Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Alesse, Micronor and Triphasil.
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$2 million in grants for teen
pregnancy prevention: Teen pregnancy prevention grants
included in the fiscal 2006 budget will be distributed by the
Illinois Department of Human Services to 35 community-based
agencies throughout the state. The department's Teen Pregnancy
Prevention program provides grants to community agencies to
reduce teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and
the incidence of HIV/AIDS. Earlier this year, Blagojevich
announced that the number of babies born to Illinois teenagers
continued a nine-year decline, falling to a record low of 9.7
percent in 2003.
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Brothers and Sisters United
Against HIV/AIDS: In order to address alarming trends that
show HIV/AIDS disproportionately affecting African-Americans,
the governor announced an expanded social marketing effort
designed to reach the African-American community with education,
prevention and testing. The campaign is called BASUAH and is a
Blagojevich initiative to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. Numerous
media outlets statewide have agreed to partner with the state to
boost this effort geared toward the African-American community.
The state will increase funding efforts 10-fold to $2.5 million,
build media partnerships, and form key partnerships with
churches, colleges and South Africa to address this public
health crisis.
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Responsible family planning:
In April 2004, Blagojevich launched the Healthy Women program
under the Department of Public Aid (now the Department of
Healthcare and Family Services). The free program offers
low-income women who are leaving the Medicaid program the tools
to prevent unplanned pregnancies and assists women in making a
successful transition from welfare to work. More than 80,000
women have participated in the program.
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Women's Health-Line:
Increased access to services through Women's Health-Line and
other informational resources. In fiscal 2004, the state-funded,
toll-free Women's Health-Line responded to more than 3,000
requests, referring women to services and providing nearly
345,000 free educational materials to women and community
providers. These materials are also available through the
department's website.
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All Kids: Last month, the
governor signed his landmark All Kids plan, which will make
Illinois the only state in the nation to provide affordable,
comprehensive health insurance for every uninsured child in the
state. Of the 253,000 children in Illinois without health
insurance, roughly half come from working and middle-class
families who earn too much to qualify for programs like KidCare
but not enough to afford private health insurance. Through All
Kids, comprehensive health insurance will be available to every
uninsured child at rates their parents can afford.
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KidCare: Since taking office
in January, 2003, Blagojevich has expanded health care coverage
to about 170,000 more children in
Illinois, and Illinois is now ranked as the second-best state in
the nation by the Kaiser Family Foundation for providing health
care to children who need it.
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FamilyCare: Over the last
three years, despite $8.5 billion in collective budget deficits,
Blagojevich has expanded FamilyCare coverage to over 170,000
working parents. The Kaiser Family Foundation ranked Illinois
the top state in the nation for providing health care to adults
who need it.
[News release from the governor's
office] |
