SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois lawmakers have less than two weeks in this session to do something about approximately $8 billion in overdue bills. The Democrats and Governor Pat Quinn have proposed a dollar-a-pack hike in the cigarette tax to offset painful cuts. The idea seems to be picking up steam.

Late last week, Republican state comptroller Judy Barr Topinka announced that she would support the cigarette tax if it's combined with spending cuts, and the latest poll finds 74 percent of Illinoisans would support it as well.

Kathy Ryg, president of Voices for Illinois Children, has analyzed the numbers.

"There would be a $50 million savings in Medicaid in the first year. That's a very sound policy and budget decision."

Ryg says the money brought in by the cigarette tax, when it's used for Medicaid, would be matched by federal dollars. Overall, the cigarette tax is expected to bring in around $700 million.

Quinn is looking to cut $2.7 billion from the Medicaid budget. If nothing is done, Medicaid bills are expected to hit $21 billion in five years.

Ryg says state lawmakers need to think about the long-term effect of cuts. For example, she says, the Teen Reach program that keeps pupils busy after school has been cut in half over the last three years and if proposed cuts for next year are passed, thousands of young people who will be left out may wind up costing the state a whole lot more.

"Those programs cost an average of $700 a youth per year. But if those kids engage in risky behavior and end up in the juvenile justice system, that cost is $70,000 a year."

To opponents who that say raising taxes on cigarettes would only encourage smokers to buy cigarettes elsewhere, Ryg answers:

"But it's a very sound policy position, by reducing the number of Illinois kids who would become smokers, and the Illinois Medicaid costs for smoking-related costs."

The American Lung Association of Illinois says that smoking-related illnesses cost nearly $2 billion a year. It estimates that a dollar-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax would result in more than 59,000 Illinois adults quitting and would discourage nearly 80,000 young people from ever starting.

In addition to the cigarette tax hike, Senate Democrats propose cutting 4 percent from most state agencies. Some Republican leaders say that's not enough.


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Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy.

A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a year because it does not adequately address quality-of-life issues and the health care needs of its lower-income residents.

The research was sponsored by the Episcopal Health Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, and St. David's Foundation.

Brian Sasser, chief communications officer for the Episcopal Health Foundation, said health care includes more than doctors' visits and medication.

"Everything from increasing access to affordable health insurance to investing in under-resourced neighborhoods to give them more options, whether that's exercise options or food options," Sasser outlined. "Look at policy changes that expand health insurance coverage for new moms."

The report breaks down the economic costs of preventable health differences for every Texas county. It found Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis counties are losing the most money annually because of health disparities.

The amount of the economic impact depends on the racial and ethnic makeup of the county and the size of its working-age population. Sasser added the report shows Black and Hispanic children are more likely to grow up in neighborhoods with high poverty levels, and higher rates of diabetes and obesity.

"What can we do to work to make sure that the rate of diabetes isn't dramatically different between white households and Black households?" Sasser asked. "That we can make sure the food insecurity isn't dramatically different between someone who makes over $100,000 and someone who makes less than $30,000?"

The Texas Legislature has passed laws to address some of the disparities, including House Bill 12. It extends Medicaid health coverage for 12 months for new mothers, and pays for maternal health services for community health workers and doulas.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for Tennesseans struggling with opioid addiction, as a bill has been passed to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder at Community Health Centers.

More than 3,800 lives were lost to overdose in the state in 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Emily Waitt, policy and advocacy manager for the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said the original bill limited the number of patients nurse practitioners and physician assistants could treat with buprenorphine. The update removes the limitations, allowing more Tennesseans to access medication assisted treatment in their communities.

"It allows NPs and PAs to prescribe to 100 patients at a time, versus 50," Waitt explained. "Basically doubling the number of patients that they can prescribe to."

Community Health Centers serve more than 423,000 patients across Tennessee, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. About 7.7% of Tennesseans do not have health insurance.

Libby Thurman, CEO of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said bringing the treatment to rural health centers expands access to a crucial service for patients who otherwise could not afford it. She noted it is important because people in remote areas often face challenges finding specialists and treatment facilities.

"We really wanted to work on this issue, because we know our Community Health Centers are where patients go for care," Thurman emphasized. "We really believe in an integrated model. So we want to treat the whole person, including if they are struggling with an addiction issue or a substance abuse disorder issue."

Health Centers offer behavioral health care, including counseling, along with treatment. The clinics also focus on creating a supportive network to help patients with family resources, job assistance and community connections.

While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue.

From April 11-17 this year, the high death rate of Black mothers is in the spotlight. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.

Dr. Patricia Egwuatu, a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, said racism is at the root of the disparities, which create barriers to health care access. She pointed out lack of access can lead to problems during pregnancy that are preventable or treatable.

"They may exist prior to pregnancy and then it gets worse during pregnancy if it's not managed as part of that maternity care," Egwuatu emphasized. "There are more pregnant women that have chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease that are amplified during pregnancy."

The White House released a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week. The Biden administration began recognizing the week in 2021.

Egwuatu noted there are some warning signs any pregnant woman should be aware of and check in with their physician if they develop.

"You might get some changes in your vision that is not your normal. So, like, fuzziness, you can't see as well, or an excruciating headache," Egwuatu outlined. "You could also develop new swelling in your lower extremities that's making it difficult to get around or even new shortness of breath."

Egwuatu stressed physicians also need to recognize the role of racism in medicine. She argued continuous medical education is important for learning how to confront biases, and it is important for doctors to understand how they can provide people with resources.

"Asking the questions about personal barriers," Egwuatu suggested. "Does a patient have issues with getting to work, child care, transportation? What's their education, what's their cultural background and language? And do they even have a cell phone so we can connect with them?"