New legislation may bring back last year’s battle between Democratic legislators and Gov. Bruce Rauner over requirements to receive state-funded home care assistance. Rauner had proposed raising what’s called the Determination of Need, or DON score, in his first budget address. The score decides how much state aid a person with disabilities or a senior […]
Terminally ill patients could get access to experimental drugs
August 7, 2015 By
Terminally ill Illinoisans should soon be able to try experimental drugs not yet approved by federal regulators after Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the proposal into law Wednesday. The law from state Sen. Michael Connelly, a Lisle Republican, is known as “right to try” legislation because it allows patients with certain diseases who have exhausted treatment […]
‘Right to try’ bill for terminally ill on Rauner’s desk
May 20, 2015 By
A law to give terminally ill patients access to medicines that have passed Phase 1 of the FDA approval process but are not yet on pharmacy shelves has passed the state House and Senate with bipartisan, near unanimous support. Gov. Bruce Rauner has 60 days to sign or veto the bill once it reaches his […]
‘Right to Try’ measure passes Illinois House
April 16, 2015 By
SPRINGFIELD, IL (AP) – The Illinois House has approved a measure that would grant greater access to experimental drugs for terminally-ill patients. Rep. Greg Harris is the chief sponsor of the legislation. The Chicago Democrat and other backers of establishing a “Right to Try” Act in Illinois say it gives those who have exhausted conventional […]
‘Right to Try’ measure raises issues of ethics, freedom
April 13, 2015 By
SPRINGFIELD – Some doctors worry that an effort to grant terminally ill people more access to unproven drugs might offer them false hope or even be harmful, but advocates for a “right to try” said patients should have more opportunities for treatments that could extend their lives. Legislation with bipartisan support that was approved by […]
Rauner blasted for proposed cuts in cancer screening program
March 2, 2015 By
Without the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, Janna Sullivan says she almost certainly would have delayed or avoided getting the screening X-ray that found cancer in her right breast and led to successful treatment nearly five years ago. Sullivan, a Springfield resident, was 61 at the time and was uninsured while she worked a […]
I-TEAM: LAW WOULD ALLOW NURSING HOME SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
February 18, 2015 By
Chuck Goudie Friday, February 13, 2015 06:18PM CHICAGO (WLS) — Ten months after an ABC7 I-Team investigation of nursing home abuse, legislation was introduced in Springfield Friday that would help family members who want to keep closer watch on their loves ones. Under the proposal, surveillance cameras could be put in the rooms of nursing […]
Are Medicaid premiums on Rauner’s budget radar?
February 18, 2015 By
SPRINGFIELD — As Gov. Bruce Rauner prepares for his first budget speech Wednesday, the rookie Republican will be looking for ways to stem a tide of red ink. Topping his target list is the state’s Medicaid program, which, along with education, accounts for the lion’s share of state spending. Rauner last week wasn’t offering details […]
Gov. Rauner’s budget likely to set up battle with Democrats
February 18, 2015 By
By SARA BURNETT and KERRY LESTER Associated PressSPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Since the night he was elected, Gov. Bruce Rauner has repeatedly said he wants Illinois to be the most competitive yet compassionate state in the nation. He’s also quick to add one caveat: “We don’t have the money to be able to be compassionate.” […]
Lawmakers Propose Giving Terminally Ill “Right To Try” Experimental Drugs
January 29, 2015 By
CHICAGO (CBS) – A conservative Republican lawmaker from Wheaton has teamed up with a liberal Democrat from Chicago in an effort to make Illinois a “right to try” state. “Right to try” is the idea that people are given access to experimental drugs that might save or prolong their lives. State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton) […]