HR0523ham001 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0523HAM001 LRB095 12437 DRJ 37933 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 523

AMENDMENT NO. ___. Amend House Resolution 523 by replacing everything after the heading with the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois announced an initiative to help residents to quit smoking; the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services encourages all health care providers to screen patients for tobacco use and to provide counseling, intervention, and treatment and to make referrals to the toll-free Illinois Tobacco Quitline (1-866-QUIT-YES or 1-866-784-8937); the Department also provides instructions for referral to the Illinois Tobacco Quitline and informs providers about over-the-counter and prescription smoking cessation products covered by State health assistance and insurance programs; and

WHEREAS, Increasing awareness of and participation rates in the various elements of the State's smoking cessation initiative should improve public health and substantially reduce the cost of care; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health, to prepare and submit a comprehensive report to the House of Representatives and the Governor, by January 1, 2008, on the results and effectiveness of the State's Smoking Cessation Initiative, together with recommendations that will increase participation, improve public health outcomes, and evaluate the merits of creating an incentive program for Medicaid recipients.".