96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
HB0989
Introduced 2/10/2009, by Rep. Lou Lang
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
Appropriates $500,000 to the Department of Public Health to provide families of ALS patients that are in need with outreach services and support. Effective July 1, 2009.
LRB096 09032 RPM 19171 b
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AN ACT concerning appropriations.
WHEREAS, Approximately 1,000 people in Illinois have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease; and
WHEREAS, About 250 more are diagnosed each year, but thousands more are actually affected by the disease, as friends and family members become caregivers for people with ALS; and
WHEREAS, Working closely with both Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Les Turner ALS Foundation currently serves almost 400 patients throughout the Chicagoland area;
WHEREAS, This number is approximately 80% of the ALS population in the Chicagoland areas; and
WHEREAS, Although the Les Turner ALS Foundation is able to provide grants to families for equipment and care, as well as home visits, this is only a fraction of the actual costs incurred by families caring for a loved one with ALS; and
WHEREAS, Because the State of Illinois, federal government, and private health insurers provide limited funding for these services, the Les Turner ALS Foundation, and similar organizations have taken on the responsibility of ensuring a quality life for patients with ALS and their families; therefore
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The amount of $500,000, or so much of that amount as may be necessary is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for a grant to provide families of ALS patients that are in need with outreach services and support.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2009.