HJ0005

LRB094 04237 HSS 34261 r






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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The percentage of Illinoisans without health care 
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coverage has generally been rising for the last 15 years, 
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growing from 9.7% in 1987 to 14.1% in 2002 and nationally the 
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proportion of the population that is uninsured grew by 17.8% 
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between 1987 and 2002, but it grew by 45.5% in Illinois; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Residents of rural areas face a difficult time in 
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accessing health care due to geographic isolation, lack of 
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transportation, economic disparity, and seasonal challenges 
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which create obstacles for rural health care consumers; and

 
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    WHEREAS, More than 20% of the U.S. population, over 65 
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million people, live in rural areas, and yet, only 9% of 
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physicians practice in rural areas; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rural health care providers face financial 
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barriers, including lower wages and reimbursement rates 
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compared to urban counterparts, lower patient volumes, and 
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fewer economies of scale; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The elderly are disproportionately represented in 
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rural areas, with approximately 18.4% of all rural residents 
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being elderly, and Medicare is the dominant source of health 
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care reimbursements for rural hospitals, accounting for 
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approximately 47% of patient care in rural areas, compared to 
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36% in urban areas; and

 

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    WHEREAS, In rural areas persons with disabilities and 
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others who need specialized care must overcome the added 
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difficulties of lack of public transportation, long distance to 
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health care providers, and limited support services; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
 


 






HJ0005
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LRB094 04237 HSS 34261 r




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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Joint Task Force on Rural 
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Health is hereby created comprised of 8 members as follows: 2 
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members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President, 2 
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members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, 
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2 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the 
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Speaker of the House and 2 members of the House of 
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Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader, with 
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one member appointed by the Senate President serving as 
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co-chairperson and one member appointed by the Speaker of the 
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House serving as co-chairperson; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall meet to study issues of 
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importance for improving access to quality, affordable health 
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care for all residents of Illinois, particularly those that 
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reside in a rural setting; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall study issues related to 
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the best practices which ensure that an adequate and 
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well-trained workforce is available to deliver health care 
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services to Illinois residents living in rural communities; and 
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be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall present its findings 
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and recommendations on how best to improve health care in rural 
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communities to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of 
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the House no later than January 1, 2006.