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1
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 256

 
2     WHEREAS, A large number of diseases and disorders are
3 preventable; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Identifiable health risk factors are precursors
5 to a large number of diseases and disorders and to premature
6 death; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Various health risks can be improved through
8 public health promotion and disease prevention programs; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Health promotion and disease prevention programs
10 can save the State money in health care expenditures and
11 produce a positive return on investment; and
 
12     WHEREAS, According to a 2004 study, tobacco use was the
13 leading cause of actual deaths in the U.S., and was responsible
14 for 435,000 deaths, more than 18% of the total deaths in the
15 U.S.; and
 
16     WHEREAS, An analysis of 22 peer-reviewed studies showed
17 that for every dollar invested in health promotion, there was
18 an average savings of $5.81 million and an average reduction of
19 health care cost of 26%; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, Based on 2001 data, if Illinois reduced smoking in
2 the Medicaid population by 10%, the savings would be $16
3 million; a 25% reduction would result in a savings of $40
4 million; and a 50% reduction would save Medicaid $81 million;
5 and
 
6     WHEREAS, The State of Illinois announced an initiative to
7 help residents to quit smoking; the Illinois Department of
8 Healthcare and Family Services encourages all health care
9 providers to screen patients for tobacco use and to provide
10 counseling, intervention, and treatment and to make referrals
11 to the toll-free Illinois Tobacco Quitline (1-866-QUIT-YES or
12 1-866-784-8937); the Department also provides instructions for
13 referral to the Illinois Tobacco Quitline and informs providers
14 about over-the-counter and prescription smoking cessation
15 products covered by State health assistance and insurance
16 programs; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Increasing awareness of and participation rates
18 in the various elements of the State's smoking cessation
19 initiative should improve public health and substantially
20 reduce the cost of care; therefore, be it
 
21     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
22 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois
23 Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation

 

 

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