09500SR0256 Enrolled

LRB095 12512 DRJ 37718 r






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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 256


 

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    WHEREAS, A large number of diseases and disorders are 
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preventable; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Identifiable health risk factors are precursors 
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to a large number of diseases and disorders and to premature 
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death; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Various health risks can be improved through 
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public health promotion and disease prevention programs; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Health promotion and disease prevention programs 
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can save the State money in health care expenditures and 
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produce a positive return on investment; and

 
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    WHEREAS, According to a 2004 study, tobacco use was the 
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leading cause of actual deaths in the U.S., and was responsible 
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for 435,000 deaths, more than 18% of the total deaths in the 
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U.S.; and

 
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    WHEREAS, An analysis of 22 peer-reviewed studies showed 
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that for every dollar invested in health promotion, there was 
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an average savings of $5.81 million and an average reduction of 
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health care cost of 26%; and

 
 


 






09500SR0256 Enrolled
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LRB095 12512 DRJ 37718 r




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    WHEREAS, Based on 2001 data, if Illinois reduced smoking in 
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the Medicaid population by 10%, the savings would be $16 
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million; a 25% reduction would result in a savings of $40 
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million; and a 50% reduction would save Medicaid $81 million; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois announced an initiative to 
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help residents to quit smoking; the Illinois Department of 
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Healthcare and Family Services encourages all health care 
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providers to screen patients for tobacco use and to provide 
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counseling, intervention, and treatment and to make referrals 
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to the toll-free Illinois Tobacco Quitline (1-866-QUIT-YES or 
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1-866-784-8937); the Department also provides instructions for 
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referral to the Illinois Tobacco Quitline and informs providers 
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about over-the-counter and prescription smoking cessation 
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products covered by State health assistance and insurance 
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programs;
and
 
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    WHEREAS, Increasing awareness of and participation rates 
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in the various elements of the State's smoking cessation 
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initiative should improve public health and substantially 
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reduce the cost of care; therefore, be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois 
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Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation 
 


 






09500SR0256 Enrolled
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LRB095 12512 DRJ 37718 r




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with the Illinois Department of Public Health, to prepare and 
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submit a comprehensive report to the Senate and the Governor, 
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by January 1, 2008, on the results and effectiveness of the 
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State's Smoking Cessation Initiative, together with 
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recommendations that will  increase participation, improve 
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public health outcomes, and evaluate  the merits of creating an 
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incentive program for Medicaid recipients.