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Coalition To Protect Telehealth White Paper: Telehealth Addresses Health Equity
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] A new white paper from the Coalition to Protect Telehealth highlights the impact of access to telehealth services on underserved communities across Illinois, underscoring the importance of passing House Bill 3498 in the Senate. Illinois Telehealth Impact: Prioritizing Healthcare Equity, Access & Quality is the collective effort of the 35 organizations that comprise the Coalition to Protect Telehealth. The white paper emphasizes that telehealth coverage must not be limited to a segment of services or available only to those who can afford the full cost of telehealth services. During the pandemic, telehealth helped advance health equity by providing more options for healthcare appointments, including phone calls and video visits. According to the white paper, telehealth also creates greater access to healthcare professionals who share a patient’s racial, ethnic or linguistic background. Seven in 10 Illinois family physicians responding to a recent survey identified telehealth services as helpful specifically for their patients from underserved areas. In a broader survey of Illinois physicians, over half said telehealth is an important tool to expand access to care for patients from underserved areas. The Coalition to Protect Telehealth urges senators to protect access to telehealth by voting “YES” on HB3498. Learn more at https://protectillinoistelehealth.org/.
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Path To 100 Act Saves Consumers $1.2 Billion
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Lower Energy Costs for All Illinois Consumers • A study by former Illinois Power Agency (IPA) director shows that passing Path to 100 (HB 2640 / SB 1601) will lower energy costs for all ratepayers • Consumers save more than $1.2 Billion over ten years by fully funding Illinois’ renewable energy program to 40% by 2031 • Path to 100 would create 53,000 new construction jobs 1. Wind and solar generators have zero fuel costs, so they win wholesale energy auctions and displace more expensive power plants. These savings are passed on to all consumers. 2. Rooftop and community solar reduce peak demand, which reduces the amount of capacity that grid operators need to buy. These savings are passed on to all consumers. 3. Rooftop and community solar customers receive direct savings on their bills. Read the study and take action at www.Pathto100.net
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Springfield: Restricting PBM Tools Will Raise Costs for Consumers, Employers + the State
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Employers in Illinois provide prescription drug coverage for nearly 6.7 million Illinoisans. In order to help keep care more affordable, employers work with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who deploy a variety of tools to reduce prescription drug costs and help improve health outcomes. In addition to helping employers, PBMs also work with the Illinois Medicaid program in the same way to help control costs. Over the last five years, PBMs have saved the state and taxpayers nearly $340 million. Today, Illinois faces a multibillion budget shortfall as more Illinoisans are relying on Medicaid to help meet their health care coverage needs. As legislators work to address these challenges, one way to help ensure continued cost savings is by strengthening the PBM tools that the State and employers use, which are poised to save employers, consumers and the State $39 billion over the next 10 years. These are meaningful savings that will help continue to contain costs, ensure consumer access to medicines and drive savings in public health programs. Amid a pandemic and economic challenges, now is the time to strengthen, not limit, the tools that employers, consumers and the State rely on to manage costs and ensure consumers can access the medicines they need.
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Telehealth Provides Access To Healthcare – Support HB 3498
Friday, Apr 30, 2021 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Visiting a healthcare professional can be consequential: Cancer is diagnosed, patients are supported as they manage chronic conditions, and services and treatment are delivered to support mental health. During the pandemic, accessing healthcare in person was difficult, especially early on when non-emergent care was put on hold. Telehealth saved the day, offering a safe option for Illinoisans to continue needed care. A recent editorial in the Chicago Tribune identified telehealth as one of a handful of pandemic-related changes that caused “the public and elected officials to reconsider some of the laws and regulations that had long been taken for granted.” Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers all began fairly reimbursing healthcare professionals for telehealth visits—recognition of telehealth’s integral role in healthcare. The editorial says, “Virtual consultations and treatment have expanded options for both medical professionals and patients. They have been shown to work well, saving patients time and travel expenses…. Once the pandemic has subsided, there is every reason that telehealth should be expanded and retained as a way to deliver care and counseling.” The Coalition to Protect Telehealth couldn’t agree more. Learn how permanent telehealth coverage will continue to provide Illinoisans’ access to quality, appropriate care. Visit https://protectillinoistelehealth.org/ and support House Bill 3498 to protect access to telehealth.
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