Health & Medicine (HMPRG)

HMPRG Participates in Panel on "Rethinking Charity Care" At Chicago's Union League Club

Dowbload article and view related slideshow at Crain's  Chicago Business Thursday, April 26, 2012 (April 17 Crain's Chicago Healthcare Daily)

Panel examines hospital charity care

Crain's) — What non-profit hospitals should do to receive tax-exempt status was the topic at “Rethinking 'Charity Care,' " a breakfast panel discussion at the Union League Club of Chicago.

The event comes as efforts to reach a state legislative compromise on the question are at an apparent impasse. The spirited debate, which drew 110 attendees on April 12, was sponsored by Leadership Greater Chicago and the University of Illinois.

(Click here to view photos from the event.)

Kenneth Munson, Region V director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, moderated the discussion by Mark Deaton, general counsel of the Naperville-based Illinois Hospital Association; Paul Gaynor, chief of the public interest division for the Illinois attorney general's office; Michael Gelder, senior health care policy adviser to Gov. Pat Quinn, and Janna Stansell, senior policy analyst at Chicago-based Health & Medicine Policy Research Group.

 

In Chicago? Call for Nominations for The 2012 HMPRG Awards

 

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED

APRIL 15-JULY 30

As many of you know, every fall in a non-gala year, Health & Medicine hosts a special HMPRG Awards event to honor members of the public health and policy communities – from veteran practitioners to young justice-driven activists – for their vision, leadership and work that serves as a living embodiment of, or testament to,  public health and social justice.

General Eligibility Criteria:
- Current members of HMPRG Board, Committees, or staff ineligible
- Posthumous awards not considered
- Must live or work in Illinois or Northeast Indiana (Metro Chicago area)
- Self nominations are accepted

• AWARDS CATEGORIES

• HEALTH (Individual Award) Individuals who work within the health arena, using the broadest definition of health, with an emphasis on public health and improvements in the health of populations.

• MEDICINE (Individual Award) Individuals whose work in any aspect of health care delivery (e.g. medicine, dentistry, mental health, nutrition, home care, pharmacy, insurance, medical groups) fosters system or institutional improvements.

• POLICY (Individual Award) Individuals working in advocacy, government, media, or philanthropy, whose work encompasses the many facets of policy analysis, development, planning, and implementation.

• RESEARCH (Individual Award) Applies to individuals involved in any aspect of quantitative or qualitative research, community-based research, or evaluative research that serves to promote improvements in the quality of life (recognizing the multiple determinants of health).

• GROUP (“The Quentin Award”) (Organization Award) Recognizes that the sum of the whole is often greater than the individual parts, and honors a group, organization, or coalition that supports or enhances community self-determination and independence, focuses its work on any of the determinants of health, and has had an impact beyond the scope of its programs. In the spirit of Quentin Young’s support of creating long-lasting improvements through coalition-building and collective action, this award will be affectionately referred to as “the Quentin” award.

• EMERGING HEALTH LEADER (Individual Award) Inaugurated in 2007, this award honors a leader under 30 currently involved in community-based work with broadly defined public health implications.

Nominate your candidate online

Download the nomination form

Download the HMPRG  Awards Call for Nominations flyer

Scan the qr code to get the HMPRG Awards form on your mobile phone

 Get information on the 2012 HMPRG Young Health Activist Challenge and Call for Nominations

The 2012 HMPRG Awards are Thursday, October 11, 2012
5:30-8:30

Save the Date!

The 2012 winners will be invited to participate in a brief moderated round table at the October 11th Awards Celebration, where they will be invited to respond to a question pertinent to all who work in public health. (Think “Ted Talks.”) It promises to be an exciting evening. We look forward to your nominations and to celebrating the winners with you in October.

Stay Tuned for HMPRG Raffle Information!

In the Chicago Area? Know a Health Hero???? Nominations Now Open for the 2012 HMPRG Young Health Activist Challenge

 

Click image above to open full size and scan qr code

Nominators must fill out the application form (downloadablebelow or available online) and write a brief 250-600 word essay describing why their candidate deserves the award. The essay may be attached to the online application, or you may email your essay along with the downloadable  form to hmprghealthchallenge@gmail.com, mail it to HMPRG, 29 E. Madison Suite 602, Chicago, IL 60602 or fax to  (312) 372.2753. Make sure your name and email are included.  

Nominees who are notified about their nominations (and  Self Nominators) must  fill out the application form and write brief 250-600 word essay describing your work as a health activist.  You may use the above methods to get your forms and essays to us. OR if you prefer to shoot a (3 minute max.) Flip Camera or smart phone video about yourself send an email to the above address and we will send you instructions for uploading.

The winner will be notified by September 15, receive a CASH AWARD, be invited to deliver personal remarks at the HMPRG Awards  Ceremony in October and appear in a videotape shown on HMPRG’s website and YouTube.

Nominees under 18 must submit the signature of a parent or  guardian on a release form.

All nominees will receive certificates  of  appreciation and invites to future events.

SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED APRIL 15-JULY 30

NOMINATE YOUR CANDIDATE ONLINE (or scan the qr code above to fill out the application on your phone

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION

HAVE A FORM MAILED OR FAXED:  Call 312.372.4292, extension 30

DOWNLOAD A FLYER TO SHARE WITH COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER YOUTH-FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS YOU KNOW

DOWNLOAD AN 11″ X 17″ POSTER TO SHARE

Questions? Send an email

 

 

From Our Friends at Ounce of Prevention Fund-Early Childhood Advocacy Day is April 17

From Our Friends at Ounce of Prevention Fund:

Please join us April 17 in Springfield for Early Childhood Advocacy Day. With budget cuts threatening early childhood programs throughout Illinois, your legislators need to hear from you now! This is your chance to speak up about the importance of early childhood investments. 

At this free event, you'll learn about current legislative and budget issues affecting early childhood programs, including Preschool for All, home visiting and child care. The Ounce will provide you with everything you need to speak to your legislators, including training, talking points and lunch.

Early Childhood Advocacy Day
April 17
10:30 am – 3 pm:  Activities in Springfield
New Location: The State House Inn
101 East Adams Street, Springfield
Register Today

Vote for Your Favorite T-shirt
If you have been to Advocacy Day before, you know we make a statement at the Capitol in our yellow t-shirts! This year, you can help pick the t-shirt design. Visit our Facebook page to vote on your favorite design.

Early Childhood Rockets
You and your children can send a message to legislators by decorating early childhood rockets, which illustrate that early learning is the launching pad that children need to succeed in life.

Transportation
Transportation from Chicago is available to the first 60 registrants. Contact us if you have a large group that needs transportation from outside of Chicago. We may be able to provide assistance with transportation.

Contact us at advocacy@ounceofprevention.org if you have any questions. Registration closes April 12, so RSVP today. We hope to see you on April 17

USA Today Article: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Presses Gov. Quinn to Resume Thursday Considerations, Re: Charity Care and Hospital Tax-exemptions

Read the full article

Posted 8:26 PM Feb 29, 2012

By Carla K. Johnson, AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO (WTW) — With hospitals and consumer groups failing to find a compromise, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn faced pressure to stick to his Thursday deadline and authorize rulings that could strip some nonprofit health care institutions of valuable tax exemptions.

Negotiations between hospital leaders and consumer advocates ended Wednesday afternoon in Springfield without a common framework or standard for hospital property tax exemptions, said Illinois Hospital Association spokesman Danny Chun. He described the two-hour meeting as "productive and cordial." The hospital group wants the talks to continue, Chun said.

But others say the discussions, which Quinn orchestrated, have failed and they prodded him to act. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle pressed Quinn to direct the Department of Revenue to resume Thursday considering whether hospitals should be granted or denied tax-exempt status based on a 2010 Illinois Supreme Court ruling.

A consumer coalition also is calling on Quinn to authorize more rulings on the tax-exempt status of hospitals. The Fair Care Coalition accused the Illinois Hospital Association of "foot-dragging" during talks. The coalition plans to demonstrate outside a Chicago hotel Thursday where hospital trustees will be taking part in a breakfast meeting. Read the full post...

Chicago Tribune Article Quotes HMPRG Policy Analyst, Janna Stansell, on Charity Care Issue

Read the full article in the February 28, 2012 Chicago Tribune

Illinois Hospital Association readies draft legislation on tax exemptions as deadline nears

CARLA K. JOHNSON

AP Medical Writer

6:15 PM CST, February 28, 2012

CHICAGO (AP) — Finding a compromise on a legal standard that would allow Illinois' nonprofit hospitals to keep their valuable property tax exemptions is proving difficult as a Thursday deadline set by Gov. Pat Quinn approaches.

An eleventh-hour meeting is scheduled Wednesday with advisers from Quinn's office, representatives from hospitals and consumer advocates. If a compromise can't be reached, the Illinois Hospital Association is ready with its own draft legislation, while a consumer coalition is arguing in favor of a standard that most hospitals aren't meeting now.

Five months ago, Quinn set a March 1 deadline and halted the Illinois Department of Revenue from issuing rulings that would strip hospitals of the tax exemptions if they were deemed not to be providing sufficient charity care.

The governor's office will determine its next step on Thursday, said Quinn spokeswoman Brie Callahan. Quinn could extend the negotiations if a compromise can't be reached. It's also possible he could order the Department of Revenue to resume issuing rulings that could mean more hospitals would have to start paying local property taxes.

"We're prepared to follow the governor's instructions on March 1 regarding the moratorium on dealing with hospital applications for charity exemptions," said Department of Revenue spokeswoman Sue Hofer.

Illinois Hospital Association spokesman Danny Chun said the group wants the talks to continue, but that it has draft legislation ready and has lined up East St. Louis Democratic Sen. James Clayborne Jr. as the sponsor, Chun said.

"We're assuming (Wednesday) is not the last meeting. We're assuming these very important talks will continue," Chun said. "We do need a legislative solution passed this spring."

Chun said the hospital association supports a framework floated Monday by the Civic Federation. Under the proposal, a nonprofit hospital would be required to provide charitable care and other community benefits at least equal to the property taxes it would have paid.

On the other side, consumer group Fair Care Coalition wants each hospital to provide 6 percent of its revenue for charitable benefits to get a tax exemption. Eighty percent of that would have to be in the form of free or discounted care for the poor.

Few nonprofit hospitals meet that standard now, said Janna Stansell, who is a part of the coalition and a senior policy analyst for the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group in Chicago.

"We believe hospitals could do a better job of helping people access charity care," she said.

Only four of 25 nonprofit hospitals in Cook County are now meeting the standard proposed by the coalition, according to new data analysis that the coalition shared with The Associated Press.

Read the full article

You Don't Want to Miss HMPRG's 30th Anniversary Gala on November 12, 2011!

Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG), has reached a milestone: our 30th Anniversary – which we could not have done without the the network of funders, policy makers and advocates, community providers, donors, organizations and partners who share our mission and vision.

We’re celebrating on Saturday, November 12, 2011, with a Gala in the Sidney R. Yates Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center. 

In addition to our featured speaker, author/commentator Barbara Ehrenreich, we will also be honoring three people who have helped to shape and grow our organization: our Co-Founder, John McKnight- a pioneer in the development of asset-based models for community-building; health preventionpioneer, Yolanda “Bobby” Hall, one of the organization’s founding board members; and Margie Schaps, a respected health policy and advocacy leader and our Executive Director for over 18 years. 

Download the Invitation

Purchase Tickets Online

 

For more details about the evening visit http://www.hmprg30.com

Registering after November 8th? Please phone in your RSVPs by mid-day Wednesday, November 9th to Ann Duffy at 312-372-4292 or email Ann

  Unable to attend? Make a donation to the  Quentin D. Youg Fund for Health Justice

 
For information about the event email Karin Pritikin or call her at (312) 372-7292,extension 30

We look forward to celebrating with you in November!

Join HMPRG for our 30th Anniversary Gala on November 12, 2011!

Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG), has reached a milestone: our 30th Anniversary – which we could not have done without the the network of funders, policy makers and advocates, community providers, donors, organizations and partners who share our mission and vision.

We’re celebrating on Saturday, November 12, 2011, with a Galain the Sidney R. Yates Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center. 

In addition to our featured speaker, author/commentator Barbara Ehrenreich, we will also be honoring three people who have helped to shape and grow our organization: our co-founder, John McKnight- a pioneer in the development of asset-based models for community-building; health preventionpioneer, Yolanda “Bobbie” Hall, one of the organization’s founding board members; and Margie Schaps, a respected health policy and advocacy leader and our Executive Director for over 18 years. 

Download the Invitation

Download the RSVP Card

Purchase Tickets Online

  Unable to attend? Make a donation to the  Quentin D. Youg Fund for Health Justice

Download Tribute Book Specs  (Final Deadline October 18)

For more details about the evening visit http://www.hmprg30.com

We look forward to celebrating with you in November!

For information about the event email Karin Pritikin or call her at (312) 372-7292,extension 30

For information about sponsorships email Joseph Leigh Designs or call (847) 869-5423

 

HMPRG is Turning 30! Come Celebrate With Us November 12th, 2011

(Click on each image to open full size)

Download the invitation          Download the RSVP card

 

Purchase Tickets Online

Purchase Tribute Book Ads Online

Sponsorship Info

For information about sponsorships or to purchase tables

email Joseph Leigh Designs or call (847) 869-5423

 

For more details about the evening visit http://www.hmprg30.com

For information about the event email Karin Pritikin

or call her at (312) 372-7292,extension 30

 

We look forward to celebrating with you in November!

 

2 Upcoming Events on Health Disparities and Workplace Safety

From Our Friends at UIC SPH:

We invite you to Chicago September 13-15 to join in two important events that will shed light on these questions and highlighting the past and future of occupational health: an Alice Hamilton Centennial Celebration and the first national conference on Eliminating Health Disparities at Work!

Alice Hamilton Centennial Celebration: This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the Deneen Commission Report, which was a set of recommendations for preventing occupational illnesses in Illinois. The Deneen Commission was charged with determining the extent of occupational illness in Illinois by defining and finding poisonous occupations and gaining access to those workplaces.  Alice Hamilton was the lead investigator and principal editor of the Report made by the Commission. To celebrate this centennial anniversary, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has designated September 13^th “Alice Hamilton Day” in order to recognize her contribution to occupational health and safety over the last 100 years. 

Tuesday, September 13th 2011

Program 1-4 PM at UIC Student Center East, 750 South Halsted                             Reception & Tour 4-6 PM at Hull House Museum, 800 South Halsted

Registration cost: $15

Sign up here

Download the flyer

IH Maintenance Points are being requested/SPH Contact Hours provided. Community partners may register for the conference with a scholarship.

Eliminating Health Disparities at Work: This two day conference, sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), aims to examine research accomplishments and gaps related to the identification of social, cultural, and economic factors that create occupational health disparities and identify promising practices for eliminating disparities through innovative intervention programs. Participants will include researchers, practitioners, representatives from community organizations, labor organizations, state and local health and labor agencies, employers and others concerned about health disparities at work.

September 14^th and 15^th 2011

Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile
300 E. Ohio Street, Chicago IL

Additional information, including registration is available here

Community partners may register for the conference with a scholarship.

For more information about both programs please contact:

Jennifer McGowan
Coordinator of Special Projects
Continuing Education/Outreach
University of Illinois-Chicago, School of Public Health
Great Lakes Centers for Occupational and Environmental Science
Work: 312-355-3500, Fax: 312-413-7369, jlmcgow@uic.edu
http://www.uic.edu/sph/erc/