Tuesday, April 20, 2010
 
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Quinn taps Evanston lawmaker for Healthcare post

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[April 20, 2010]  CHICAGO -- Gov. Pat Quinn has tapped Evanston Democratic state Rep. Julie Hamos to usher in President Barack Obama's national health care reform, appointing her on Friday to head the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Hardware"I want to make sure we have a person in that department, like Julie Hamos, who really cares for families, cares about health care, understands it's important that we work with Washington and our federal government all the time, especially now after passing a landmark law," Quinn said. "The federal health care reform is going to make things better."

Hamos said she will use her role as director to ensure a smooth transition to national health care reform by working with the Illinois Department of Insurance and other state agencies to adopt the new law's measures.

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"This is an exciting time in this nation's history when we have an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives," she said. "With the national health care reform now the law of the land, we will showcase Illinois as the place where we will get it right."

Hamos will assume her new duties on April 16, although confirmation by the Illinois Senate is required to make her appointment official. She plans to spend her opening weeks at the department studying public health policy in other states to adopt what she calls "best practices." She also said she will look across the aisle at some Republican proposals for Medicaid reform.

"We're looking at a range of different possibilities here. That's really the promise of health care access for all ... making sure that we get some efficiencies from the Medicaid system, and that's where we talk about reducing health care costs," she said. "The current system is unsustainable over the long term."

Hamos' hint toward Medicaid reform is a step away from the agency's previous leadership.

Hamos is replacing Barry Maram, who resigned from the position on April 1 after seven years of service. Maram, who was appointed to the position by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was one of the few agency directors to remain in office after Blagojevich was ousted by lawmakers after they impeached and convicted him.

Hamos has made health care concerns a top priority during her 11 years in the General Assembly. She worked to enact the Consumer Guide to Healthcare Act in 2003, which requires hospitals to give consumers information about surgical procedures. The Evanston Democrat also sponsored a 2005 law that helps health care providers to share a patient's health records.

Quinn made the announcement at the Chicago Women in Government Relations Spring Luncheon. The governor impressed upon the group's members his stance on women's issues, which he feels could decide the upcoming election.

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"There is a clear difference between my position -- I believe in equal pay for equal work -- and the person I'm running against," he said. "These are issues that are fundamental issues that deal with fairness in our society and also getting our economy back on track."

Quinn has had trouble garnering the support of women early in the campaign. A recent Public Policy Polling study shows Quinn trailing the Republican gubernatorial candidate, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, by double digits among female voters.

Hamos' departure from the Illinois House will not affect the Democratic Party ticket, as she was not seeking re-election for her 18th District seat after a failed primary bid to represent the 10th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democratic Party leaders will now select Hamos' replacement. The party nominated Robyn Gabel, a health care reform activist, for Hamos' old seat in the February primary.

[By BILL McMORRIS, Illinois Statehouse News]

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