NEWS

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to decouple Illinois adult education funding from federal rules passed the Senate Thursday.

“Adult education programs need to be seen as necessary, not optional,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Education institutions continue to be pressured by the Trump administration and Illinois needs to stand up for its adult learners.”

The measure comes as the Trump administration continues to threaten education funding and demand an unprecedented role in university admission, curriculum and operations. Without action from the state, federal threats to education programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act could limit Illinois residents’ access to higher education and key adult education programs.

Guzmán’s legislation would clarify and strengthen the administration of state-funded adult education programs in Illinois. The bill would ensure that Illinois law, not the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, governs state-only adult education programs. The state’s matching portion of WIOA funds – currently 25% – would continue to be subject to federal requirements.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s push to allow mammograms under all health insurance policies regardless of the person’s age has passed the Senate.

“If a health care provider or a patient has a concern, there should not be an arbitrary age limit for proper care,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Issues addressed sooner can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and that will bring more effective treatment and better survival rates for those diagnosed.”

Guzman’s legislation would expand mammogram coverage to align with evidence-based clinical guidelines and the recommendations of a health care provider, including when medically appropriate for individuals under 35. Under the measure, mammograms would be covered for patients of any age when deemed necessary by a healthcare provider.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. However, if it is detected while still in its earlier stages, breast cancer can be successfully treated. Routine mammograms and breast exams can detect cancer early and provide women with better treatment options and results.

In 2012, while planning what should have been one of the most joyful seasons of their life, Maureen Anderson was diagnosed with breast cancer. In an instant, the future she had envisioned was completely rewritten. While many of her peers were celebrating weddings, enjoying honeymoons, and beginning families, her life became consumed by surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and ultimately a hysterectomy. Milestones that many women naturally expect, including the opportunity to have children, were taken from her far too soon.

SPRINGFIELD –Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to monitor private equity in our health care system passed the Senate.

“Health care is not a luxury to be profited off of, but a human right,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We have seen private equity take over portions of our economy and sell off whole industries for parts. We need to understand how much of Illinois’ health care system is controlled by private equity and how it affects both care and access to it. .”

Guzman’s measure would require health care facilities and health care provider organizations, which are parties to a transaction involving a merger or acquisition (i.e., a "covered transaction") to provide notice of the transaction to the Office of the Attorney General. This includes parties to the transaction that are not a health care facility or provider organization but own or control, directly or indirectly, one or more of the two or more health care facilities or provider organizations that will be under common ownership.

Chicago has faced the growing trend of health deserts because of private equity’s involvement in health care. According to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, closures of West Suburban Medical Center, Weiss Memorial Hospital and Westlake Hospital were all attributable to ownership by private equity company Pipeline Health. Pipeline employed strategies to boost profit by monetizing hospital assets that led to a weakening of the hospitals.

SPRINGFIELD – Many residents in Illinois are struggling to keep up with their medical debt in the face of corporate greed. State Senator Graciela Guzmán has advanced legislation through the Senate to protect those burdened by health care debt from having a lien placed on their home during a health care debt collection.

“Housing and health care are human rights that Illinois must strive to protect and provide for its residents,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “While health care corporations make massive profits, they are attempting to threaten the homes of people who need treatment but cannot afford it. This practice cannot go on.”

This legislation came forward after the House sponsor heard from residents affected by the acquisition of St. Margaret’s Hospital in Peru by OSF HealthCare. After that acquisition, families saw more aggressive medical debt collection practices, including liens on homes for medical debts sometimes as low as $2,000.