Health Care Reform
A New Reality:
What the New Law
Means for You
Laura Leon, A Campaign for Better Health Care
“Update on Health Care Reform for Children with Special Needs”
Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Chicago, IL
October 6, 2011
Sponsored by: HRSA and The Arc of Illinois
Started in 1989, the Campaign for
Better Health Care (CBHC) is a Illinois’
largest, statewide, grassroots
organization focused on health care
reform for quality, accessible,
affordable health care for all.
“Everybody In, Nobody Out!”
Inform - Implement - Improve
Begun in 2003, the Health Care
Justice Campaign (HCJC) is a
statewide coalition of diverse interests
- consumers, providers, faith, labor,
businesses, social service agencies
and others - working together to
achieve successful reform.
Campaign for Better Health Care
The Campaign for
Better Health Care
(CBHC)
is Illinois’ largest statewide,
grassroots coalition focused
on winning comprehensive
reform for quality, accessible,
affordable health care for all.
“Everybody In, Nobody Out!”
KEY BELIEFS OF CBHC
Cost
of Inaction
Economic
Shared
Opportunity
Responsibility
Federal-State
Joint Venture
(e.g., implementation)
Developing
advocates
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
Campaign for Better Health Care
CBHC’s HISTORY
Founded in 1989. 20 years of success:

Health
HelpLine case to the U. S. Supreme Court
(unfair Medicaid managed care practices)
Care Justice Act (Obama, ‘04), Health Care Task Force

Over 325 congregations take part in the 2009 “Sound the Alarm!”

Extensive bank of personal health care stories. Online blog.

Founding Member, Herndon Alliance
Campaign for Better Health Care
Current Initiatives
Mobilize to Inform, Implement, Improve
 Health Care Justice Campaign
 AIDS Run/Walk/Roll
 Accountability rallies, letters, press conferences, etc.
 Faith Caucus (e.g., “Sound the Alarm,” HC Sabbath)
 Advocacy trainings
 Media / Messaging
 Meeting with Legislators
 Educational Forums
 Story Project
 HelpLine

1-888-544-8271
National Health Care Reform
March 21, 2010 - House passes the Senate bill
March 23, 2010 - President signs reform into law:
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
State Implementation
EXCHANGE: Koehler (SB 1729) BLOCKED
-Independent, diverse Board, overseen by Illinoisans
-Toll-free hotlines, Navigators, easy-to-use website
EXCHANGE: Haine (SB 1549) / Mautino (HB 1577)
PASSED
-Made by and for the insurance industry
-Does not establish exchange governance
-No independent provisions re: conflicts of interest
RATE REVIEW - State Rep. Harris’ bill (HB 1501)
DOI authority to disapprove rate increases
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
Exchange Implementation Timeline
Sept
Sept30th.
30th.Legislative
Legislative
Study Committee
Committee issues
issues
Study
Report
ReportononExchange
Exchange
Veto Session
October 25thNovember 10th
CBHC Lobby Day
Oct. 26th
Advocacy Continues
Through 2014
Time for Action! Action! Action!
to Inform - Implement - Improve
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sign up for listservs
Join our statewide calls
POSTCARDS
“Run, Walk or Roll Oct 1st
HelpLine
We need your help! YOU have the
power to make a difference!!!!!
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
What You Can Do To Help:
Share Your Story!
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
•Stories make an issue come to life for your
audience.
•Stories give us real life examples of policy
•People understand an issue clearly when it is tied to
a person’s experience
•Contact CBHC to share your story! Call
312.913.9449 or email: krice@cbhconline.org
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
What You Can Do To Help: Write A
Letter to Your Editor (LTE)
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
•Use an LTE to educate your community about
health reform
•Not sure what to write? Use CBHC’s LTE
Builder: http://www.cbhconline.org/action/ltebuilder/
.
•Help us track your letters! Send a copy to Kathleen Duffy at
kduffy@cbhconline.org. Please include the name of the newspaper and
the date you sent the letter
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
What Your Can Do To Help: Talk to Your
Legislator!
• Not sure who your member of Congress is?
Check the Illinois State Board
of Elections search tool.
•For tips for meeting with your
rep, visit:
http://www.communitycatalyst.org
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
•When you meet with your legislator,
ask him/her to complete a task that
supports your cause, and is
connected to his/her interest.
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
Additional Resources:
CBHC – cbhconline.org (Info Center, Action Center, overall)
U. S. Dept. of Health & Human Services – healthcare.gov (overall)
IL Dept. of Insurance – insurance.illinois.gov/hiric/ (state specific)
Families USA – familiesusa.org (policy, reports)
Community Catalyst – communitycatalyst.org (policy, reports)
Small Business Majority – smallbusinessmajority.org (businesses)
Herndon Alliance – herndonalliance.org (messaging)
IMCHC – ilmaternal.org (maternal, child health)
Health Care Justice Campaign - http://www.cbhconline.org/health-care-justice-campaign/
For more information, contact:
Laura Leon
Director of Faith Initiatives
Campaign for Better Health Care
1325 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 305
Chicago, IL 60605
312-913-9449 (office)
312-525-1910 (cell)
lleon@cbhconline.org
www.cbhconline.org