Illinois introduces 'Ticket for a Cure'

New laws supply funding and enforce insurance coverage for women's health           

[JULY 7, 2005]  PEORIA -- Joined by breast cancer awareness groups Wednesday at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed several laws providing additional cancer screenings for women and expanding funds for critical cancer research. Building on the governor's record of making women's health care more affordable and accessible, the laws require insurers to cover breast cancer screenings earlier in a woman's life and to cover ovarian cancer screenings for at-risk women. Another new law creates a new instant scratch-off lottery game, called "Ticket for a Cure," to raise money for breast cancer research. A fourth law signed by the governor expands the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund to include ovarian cancer research.

"Too many mothers, wives, sisters and daughters die from cancer every year," Blagojevich said. "Detecting cancer early can mean the difference between life and death. These new laws require insurance companies to cover earlier cancer screenings for women who are at risk and create new avenues to donate money to cancer research."

"The Ticket for the Cure will be the first legislation of its kind in the nation to create a lottery game with the sole purpose of providing funding to the fight against breast cancer," Senate President Emil Jones said. "The funds will be dedicated to education, early detection efforts, prevention, screening, treatment and services for women who are battling this disease."

Sponsored by Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, and Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, Senate Bill 12 requires insurance companies to cover screening for breast cancer earlier in a woman's life if her doctor considers her to be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women 20 years of age and older, with an estimated 9,000 women expected to be diagnosed in Illinois this year. And, before this law, only women who were 40 years old or older received insurance coverage for mammograms.

Senate Bill 12 requires insurance companies to cover mammograms for women who have a family history of breast cancer or who have other risk factors, such as genetic defects, that place them at higher risk. The woman's doctor will determine the age to begin the mammograms and the intervals between each mammogram that would have to be covered by insurance.

"We have seen tremendous progress in the treatment of breast cancer over the last couple of decades, and consequently, we have seen a decline in the death rates," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director. "Early detection is key to the survival of cancer, when treatments are most effective."

One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and one in 34 will die. The overall breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by 2.7 percent every year from 1993-2002, for a combined 20.7 percent decrease in Illinois.

The late Sen. Margaret Smith, D-Chicago, sponsored the original version of the Senate Bill 12 and made numerous attempts to push the legislation through the General Assembly during the last seven years of her tenure in office. When Hunter succeeded Smith in 2003, she continued to fight to pass the legislation, culminating with Blagojevich signing the bill into law -- taking effect immediately.

"Too many women, especially minority women, are going undetected because of the lack of education and waiting too long to be diagnosed," Hunter said. "This legislation will allow more women with risk factors to get the screening they need and ultimately increase their chances of survival if diagnosed."

Several breast cancer awareness groups joined the governor at the bill signing, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Founded in 1982 in the Peoria native's memory by her sister, Nancy Brinker, the Komen Foundation is a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. By 2003, the Komen Foundation had awarded grants totaling more than $112 million for breast cancer research projects. The foundation is the nation's largest private provider of funds for such research as well as community outreach programs. 2003 also marked the 20th anniversary of the Komen Race for the Cure®, with 112 races held in the United States and two international races, with more than 1.5 million participants. The Peoria Memorial Affiliate of the Komen Foundation was formed in 1992.

"The mission of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screening and treatment," said Philip Lockwood, co-chair of the Komen Peoria Race for the Cure and a board member of the Peoria Memorial Affiliate. "We are encouraged by these newly enacted laws, which will increase the availability of critical cancer screening for women and help generate additional funding for research and services."

Y-ME Illinois, a nonprofit breast cancer organization, lobbied for the legislation by encouraging their supporters to call their local legislators and express the need for the law.

"We applaud the governor for making women's health a priority," said Ruth Brody, executive director of Y-ME in Illinois. "These laws are important steps in the right direction toward saving the lives of more women in Illinois. Providing women already at risk for this disease with better access to screenings is essential to catching cancer during the early stages of diagnosis."

"Being treated for cancer is an extremely challenging experience for the patient as well as the family," said Maria Padilla of Chicago, a two-year breast cancer survivor. "In my case, the anxiety and frustration of treatment was magnified based on the lack of services offered to me at that time. This legislation will create much-needed funding that could possibly help save many more lives, including my own."

To raise money for critical breast cancer research, Blagojevich also signed Senate Bill 1 on Wednesday, creating a special instant lottery scratch-off game. Sponsored by Hunter and Feigenholtz, the new law requires the Department of Revenue to offer the game called Ticket for the Cure. The revenue generated from the game will provide grants to public or private organizations in Illinois for breast cancer research and funding services for breast cancer victims.

"Ticket for the Cure is a legislative response to a crisis that is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among Illinois women," said Hunter, chief sponsor of the legislation. "Senate Bill 1 was the priority of our caucus, and I feel very honored and proud to be the one who was able to carry this legislation. Seeing this measure passed into law is truly a great moment."

"The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program is almost at full capacity, and women may be forced onto waiting lists to get free breast and cervical cancer screenings provided to them," Feigenholtz said. "A portion of the proceeds from this game could help avoid that situation and enable all eligible women to get the services they need."

An advisory board will be created within the Illinois Department of Public Health to determine how the funds will be distributed. The game will begin after Jan. 1, 2006, and will end on Dec. 31, 2011.

"The American Cancer Society recognizes the importance of funding patient services for the uninsured, such as long-term care issues, utility assistance, rent assistance and transportation needs," said Ermilo Barrera, M.D., president of the Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society. "Ticket for the Cure will help provide increased access to these vital services, with the hope that quality of life will greatly improve at diagnosis, through treatment and beyond."

Blagojevich signed a third piece of legislation Wednesday, requiring insurers to cover screening tests for women at risk for the development of ovarian cancer. In Illinois, more than 1,000 women are diagnosed with this cancer every year, and more than 600 women die annually. Women are generally advised to get an annual Pap test and pelvic exam, but if they are "at risk" because of first-degree family history with ovarian cancer, the new law says insurers must cover additional tests, like a transvaginal ultrasound and CA 125 blood tests every six months. Senate Bill 521 requires insurers to provide coverage for these ovarian cancer screening tests for women who are at risk. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2006.

While ovarian cancer is not as common as breast cancer, it is more deadly because it is more difficult to detect and there are typically no symptoms in the early stages.

Sen. Iris Martinez, D-Chicago, and Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago, sponsored Senate Bill 521.

"This legislation widens the definition of ‘at-risk for ovarian cancer' to include having a family history and additional means of screenings, so more cases will be diagnosed in the early stages," said Martinez. "Senate Bill 521 is critical in reducing the mortality rate from this very deadly cancer."

On Wednesday, Blagojevich also signed a fourth bill, which expands the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund to include ovarian cancer research. House Bill 3564 changes the name to the "Penny Severns Breast, Cervical, and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund." The Illinois Department of Public Health will award grants to eligible physicians, hospitals, laboratories, educational institutions and other organizations for the purpose of cancer research.

Rep. Osterman and Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Chicago Heights, sponsored the bill.

"Ovarian cancer is a silent killer that has taken the lives of far too many women," Osterman said. "It is our hope that this legislation will help save lives by providing critical research dollars for improved early detection and a cure for this terrible disease."

"Including ovarian cancer research in the Penny Severns Fund makes sense," Halvorson said. "Too many women suffer from this disease, and this is one way people can contribute to the funding of cancer research and services."

The Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Research Fund was renamed in 1999 to honor the late state senator from Decatur and her commitment to public service and breast cancer awareness. Severns died from breast cancer in 1998. First established by Gov. Jim Edgar in 1993 as the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund, a special fund within the state treasury to be used for breast and cervical cancer research grants, the fund consists of general revenue funds and income tax contributions, as well as donations from foundations, nonprofit organizations and other governmental entities. Illinois residents have had the opportunity to contribute to the fund through the IL 1040 tax form. For the past 11 years the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Fund has funded 95 projects, 28 of them being multiyear awards, for a total of $4.8 million, $2.15 million of that being from income tax contributions.

Blagojevich continues to show his commitment to women's health by adding $100,000 to ovarian cancer research in the fiscal 2006 budget. He also pledged an additional $4 million in state funding to support breast and cervical cancer screening and education for minority women. The administration's support for community and faith-based groups, such as the Stand Against Cancer Initiative, resulted in nearly 13,000 screenings since the inception of the program in July 2004. The initiative ended June 30, and there are plans to renew the program next year to provide further Pap, cervical, pelvic and mammogram screenings to women of color. Stand Against Cancer works to target the hardest to reach minority women throughout Illinois by partnering with neighborhood organizations, churches and federally qualified health centers.

In fiscal 2005, the total amount of funds supporting breast and cervical cancer programs is $11.45 million, including $6.15 million in state dollars. Over the last two years, investments toward breast and cervical cancer screening and education programs in Illinois totals more than $21 million. Over the last 10 years, The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, has provided free mammograms, Pap tests and pelvic exams to 57,000 low-income women between the ages of 35 and 64 who have no health insurance. The program celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

Legislation passed in December created a 12-member Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force to help educate the public about cervical cancer and develop a statewide comprehensive prevention and control plan.

Blagojevich has made significant contributions to promote and improve women's health including:

• Breast and cervical cancer funding: Provided increased funding to screen additional women for breast and cervical cancer. In two years, 39,000 women, 44 percent of whom are minorities, received free screenings through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. Since taking office, the governor has also added an additional $4 million in state funding to support breast and cervical cancer screening and education.
• WISEWOMAN: Piloted the WISEWOMAN cardiovascular research project in DuPage County. The project is targeted toward women in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and helps them reduce heart disease by leading healthier lifestyles. It is now expanding to 20 counties. The project name is an acronym for Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation.
• Women's health education: Provided funding and support for community-based information and education programs. In July 2004, Women's Health Initiative grants totaling $1.5 million in state funding were awarded to 72 local health departments and other nonprofit organizations to fund educational programs focusing on cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, menopause and eating disorders. In January of 2005, another $100,000 in state funds was awarded to 26 groups for health awareness events and walking campaigns, many of which target specific minority groups, including African-American, Asian and Latina women.

• 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.
• First state to require pharmacists to dispense female contraceptives: In April, Blagojevich issued an emergency rule requiring pharmacists whose pharmacies sell contraception to dispense birth control to women with valid prescriptions. The governor's emergency rule will become permanent this summer. In addition, the state will soon launch a new website to help women know which insurers now cover contraceptives, helping hundreds of thousands of women save an average of $400 per year on the cost of their contraceptives.

Wednesday's announcement is part of the governor's long-standing effort to make sure that more people get more health care and better benefits; protect coverage for those who have health care; and help hospitals, doctors and nurses provide better health care. Specifically:

• Best in the nation for providing health care to the working poor: Since Blagojevich took office, 313,000 more men, women and children have received health care through the KidCare and FamilyCare programs -- at a time when most states are not only not providing more coverage for the working poor, but also kicking people off Medicaid or significantly reducing their benefits. This year's budget included funding to add another 56,000 men, women and children. The Kaiser Foundation has ranked Illinois the best state in the nation for providing health care to people who need it.
• Improving women's health programs: Blagojevich created the Illinois Healthy Women program to provide health care to women who otherwise would go without. To date, the program has served more than 90,000 women. In addition, Illinois has dramatically increased the number of mammograms and cervical cancer screenings since Blagojevich took office.
• One of only a handful of states to protect Medicaid recipients: The budget signed by Blagojevich a few weeks ago ensures -- for the third consecutive year, despite facing budget deficits -- that Medicaid recipients maintain their health care, unlike states ranging from Missouri to Tennessee to Texas to Washington that are either kicking people off Medicaid or significantly reducing benefits.
• First state to develop a statewide small-business health insurance pool and program: Blagojevich and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce are developing a small-business health insurance program that will help small businesses reduce their costs by 10 percent to 15 percent and provide more health care for their employees. Illinois will be the first state to create a pool that businesses of 50 or fewer employees can join, saving money on the negotiated rate, administrative costs and broker fees.
• 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. More than 10,000 people have enrolled in the last few months alone to take advantage of lower prices (25 percent to 50 percent less) for over 120 name-brand prescription drugs.
• Most comprehensive state response to fill in gaps in the federal prescription drug benefit: This summer, the governor signed the Leave No Senior Behind law, which is Illinois' response to the federal Medicare prescription drug benefit. Because of the major holes in the federal program, the governor's plan fills in the gaps, so Illinois seniors will not suffer the same fate that face seniors in other states.
• First state to require pharmacists to dispense female contraceptives: As noted previously in this article, Blagojevich issued an emergency rule in April requiring pharmacists whose pharmacies sell contraception to dispense birth control to women with valid prescriptions. The governor's emergency rule will become permanent this summer. In addition, the state will soon launch a new website to help women know which insurers now cover contraceptives, helping hundreds of thousands of women save an average of $400 per year on the cost of their contraceptives.
• Accessing nearly $2 billion in new federal health care money: This summer, Blagojevich will sign the hospital assessment legislation, which means nearly $2 billion in new federal funding for Illinois hospitals. Last year, the governor persuaded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to approve a plan that meant nearly $500 million in new federal funds for Illinois hospitals. This plan, which requires federal approval but was constructed with their guidelines in mind, means more than three times that amount.
• Medical malpractice reform: This summer, Blagojevich will sign major medical malpractice reform legislation, which will reduce the cost of insurance premiums for doctors and stop doctors from leaving the state. Blagojevich helped pass the legislation despite his personal opposition to caps, because making sure that people have access to health care is probably the most important function government performs.
• Reducing the nursing shortage: This summer, Blagojevich will sign a package of bills aimed at reducing the nursing shortage in Illinois, including making it easier for foreign nurses to practice in Illinois. The state also eliminated the nurses' registration backlog this April and increased the amount available in grants for nurses training. This fulfills the initiative launched by the governor in his State of the State address to reduce the nursing shortage.

For more information on women's health and programs visit www.idph.state.il.us or call the Women's Health-Line at [phone] or TTY [phone], for hearing-impaired use only.

[News release from the governor's office]