SR0256

LRB095 12512 DRJ 37718 r






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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, A large proportion of diseases and disorders is 
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preventable; modifiable health risk factors are precursors to a 
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large number of diseases and disorders and to premature death; 
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and

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

 
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    WHEREAS, Health promotion and disease prevention programs 
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can save the State money in health care expenditures and 
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produce a positive return on investment; and
 
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    WHEREAS, According to a 2004 study, tobacco was the leading 
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cause of actual deaths in the U.S.; tobacco use was responsible 
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for 435,000 deaths, which was over 18% of total deaths in the 
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U.S.; and

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

 
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    WHEREAS, Based on 2001 data, if Illinois reduced smoking in 
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the Medicaid population by 10%, the savings would be $16 
 


 






SR0256
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LRB095 12512 DRJ 37718 r




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million; a 25% reduction would result in a savings of $40 
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million; a 50% reduction would save Medicaid $81 million; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Creating incentives for Medicaid recipients to 
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quit smoking will save money for the State and improve the 
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quality of life of the former smokers; the State does not have 
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to create the program from scratch but can enter into an 
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agreement with experts in the health-and-wellness field to 
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maximize immediate savings; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Department of 
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Healthcare and Family Services shall create an incentive-based 
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smoking cessation program for Medicaid recipients; the program 
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shall be in operation by January 1, 2008; the Department may 
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enter into an agreement with a third party to create or run the 
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program; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That the Department shall report to the Senate by 
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January 1, 2009 on the progress of the program; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to 
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the Director of Healthcare and Family Services.