 "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.
"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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