News
2019
New Report: A Checkup for Cook County’s Safety Net: A Qualitative Review of Health Reform
December 17, 2019The Affordable Care Act (ACA) precipitated a decade of reforms and reactions that have made a distinct impact on the Cook County health care safety net. “Reform” in health care encompasses a complex interplay of changes, forces, structures, and agents—including official legislation and rulemaking as well as the responses of government agencies, health care providers, […]
Health & Medicine: Highlights from 2019
December 16, 2019Thank you for your support as we continue to bring people and organizations together to develop solutions to the health equity, health policy, and health systems challenges we face. Here are some highlights from 2019: Center for Long-Term Care Reform Ensured that aging issues are prioritized by the Pritzker administration by releasing Long-term Care Reform […]
New Report: Trauma-Informed Approaches for Supporting Families with Opioid Misuse
November 25, 2019The opioid epidemic is one of the foremost health and social issues in the United States. As the country grapples with the best way to support and treat individuals who misuse opioids, it is critical that attention is also paid to the families affected by the opioid epidemic and particularly to the impact on children. […]
Now Hiring: Workforce Policy Analyst and Schweitzer Program Associate
November 20, 2019Position Title: Workforce Policy Analyst and Schweitzer Program Associate Supervised by: Director, Chicago Area Health Education Center and Director, Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program Supervises: N/A Classification: Exempt, Full-time, Salaried Organization Overview: Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (Health & Medicine) began in 1981 as an independent non-profit health policy and advocacy center in Chicago working […]
Health & Medicine Observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 10, 2019On October 14th, 2019, for the second time in the organization’s history, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group will be observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Indigenous Peoples of America continue to show strength and resilience in the face of adversity and injustice. They are made up of many different tribes with rich cultures and histories […]
Health & Medicine Remembers Long-Time Board Member Art Kohrman, MD
September 24, 2019It is with great sadness that we share that long-time Board Member Art Kohrman, MD died Thursday afternoon, at home and peacefully, surrounded by his family. Art was an active, engaged board member of Health & Medicine since 1986. In addition to being active on all of our efforts to study and reform the Illinois […]
Schweitzer Summer 2019 Newsletter Released
September 17, 2019Our latest Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship Newsletter provides updates on recent Schweitzer activities including: An update from our Seed Grant Fellow’s Scholars de Salud Mentoring Program A spotlight on Advisory Council member Dr. Sue Etminan, and how the Fellowship has impacted her and her health career Information about Amber Smock, the inspiring 2019 Schweitzer Leadership Award Winner […]
Remembering Marca Bristo, Inspiring Leader in the Disability Rights Movement
September 10, 2019Health & Medicine grieves with fellow social justice advocates on the loss of our dear friend Marca Bristo. Marca was a fierce leader in the disability rights movement, always insisting that addressing the interests and needs of the disability community would benefit us all. This is a true public health view—what is right for the […]
‘We must stand together for justice.’ Health & Medicine Opposes Public Charge Rule Change
August 15, 2019Health & Medicine Policy Research Group condemns the latest cruel attack by the Trump Administration on immigrants and low-income people by releasing their final “public charge” rule, set to go into effect on October 15th. This rule will punish people seeking permanent resident status in the United States if they use—or are deemed likely to […]
New Report: Addressing the Absence of African American Men in Chicago-Area Medical Schools
July 30, 2019Developed in response to a grant from Otho S. A. Sprague Memorial Institute, this report focuses on one specific health workforce challenge: the absence of African American men in medicine. As a health workforce policy and practice leader in Illinois, Health & Medicine recognizes that the workforce challenges we face locally and nationally are multifaceted. […]
Schaps Testifies Before Cook County Board: CCH is glue that holds health safety net system together.
July 29, 2019On Thursday, July 25th, the following testimony by Health & Medicine’s Executive Director Margie Schaps was presented to the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Schaps spoke about the importance of the Independent Board’s management and supervision to the continued survival of the Cook County Health System. Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to […]
Dr. Linda Rae Murray appointed to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board
July 22, 2019On Friday, July 19th, 2019, Governor JB Pritzker announced appointments in his administration, including our Board member Dr. Linda Rae Murray. “Linda Rae Murray will serve on the Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Dr. Murray has spent her career serving the medically underserved and is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Illinois School […]
Margie Schaps Testifies Before Cook County Board: “CCHHS plays a critical role in this County with a mission to take care of all in need.”
July 10, 2019On Tuesday, July 9th, the following testimony by Health & Medicine’s Executive Director Margie Schaps was presented to the Cook County Board at their Budget Hearing. Schaps urged the Board to approve a budget that will allow the Health System to succeed and flourish while allowing it to fully implement a strategic vision that will […]
Health & Medicine Comments on the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status
July 9, 2019On July 9th, Director of Health Equity Wesley Epplin submitted comments on behalf of Health & Medicine strongly opposing the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed rule to prohibit mixed status families from living in subsidized housing, and demanding that the proposed rule be immediately withdrawn. “Health & Medicine Policy Research Group (Health & […]
Meet our 2019 HMPRG Awards Winners
July 1, 2019We’re pleased to announce the recipients of our 2019 HMPRG Awards representing Chicago-area leaders whose work exemplifies Health & Medicine’s mission to promote social justice and challenge inequities in health and health care. We invite you to join us in honoring our winners at Health & Medicine’s Awards Gala on Sept. 27, 2019 at the […]
Health & Medicine Welcomes 2019-20 Schweitzer Fellows
June 25, 2019Thirty-one passionate health professions graduate students have been selected for the distinguished Schweitzer Fellowship – a year-long service learning program that helps Fellows design and implement innovative projects that help address the health needs of underserved Chicago communities. Named in honor of famed humanitarian and Nobel laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows […]
#HistoryMatters: Health & Medicine Celebrates Juneteenth
June 17, 2019On June 19, 2019, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group will be celebrating Juneteenth, a day regarded as the oldest national celebration of African American liberation in the United States. While the official date of the Emancipation Proclamation was 1863, Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the remote territory of Texas […]
Observing Illinois’ First Trauma-Informed Awareness Day
May 15, 2019Health & Medicine and the Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative are proud to join with others across the state in observing Illinois’ first Trauma-Informed Awareness Day. Today, our ACEs staff and partners are in Springfield meeting with legislators and speaking about this important legislation. This is a great milestone for building the trauma-informed movement in Illinois […]
Health & Medicine Prepares for Illinois’ First Trauma-Informed Awareness Day on May 15
May 8, 2019The State of Illinois has declared May 15, 2019 as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day to highlight the impact of trauma and the importance of prevention and community resilience. Senate Resolution 99, sponsored by State Senators Julie A. Morrison, Laura Ellman, Elgie R. Sims, Jr., and Laura M. Murphy, establishes this important day and promotes two other […]
Schaps Joins Lightfoot’s Transition Team
April 12, 2019Yesterday, Health & Medicine’s Executive Director Margie Schaps participated in a kick off meeting for the Health & Human Services Committee of Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot’s Transition Team. Several Health & Medicine board members–including Jennifer McGowan-Tomke of NAMI, Suzanne Carlberg-Racich of the Chicago Recovery Alliance, and Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, Director of the Center for Multi-System Solutions to […]
IL ACEs Response Collaborative Informs Senate Resolution
March 5, 2019Illinois State Senators Sen. Morrison and Sen. Ellman recently introduced SR99, Trauma-Informed Awareness Day, citing the Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative’s report on the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. The Collaborative and Health & Medicine are excited to inform Sen. Morrison and Ellman’s resolution as part of our ongoing work to put the issues of trauma and resilience on the forefront of the equity agenda in Illinois.
Health & Medicine Releases Long-Term Care Reform in Illinois: 2019 Agenda for Change
February 26, 2019Health & Medicine and our Center for Long-Term Care Reform have long been committed to improving the way older adults in Illinois live and enjoy their final years with dignity in their homes and communities. With a new administration in place, Health & Medicine intends to take action to ensure that aging issues are prioritized by the new Pritzker administration, as well as advocating nationally for adequate funding and rational policies to support home and community-based services and supports. To that end, we are pleased to share our Aging in Illinois: 2019 Agenda for Change.
Health & Medicine Supports Efforts of Local Foundations to Fund West Suburban CHWs
January 29, 2019On January 22nd, Community Memorial Foundation and Healthy Communities Foundation announced that they jointly invested $535,000 in a pilot program to engage a community health worker (CHW) network in the Western Suburbs. Funding will be used to support Community Health Workers at Aging Care Connections, Alivio Medical Center, BEDS Plus, Healthcare Alternative Systems, and Mujeres Latinas en Acción. Health and Medicine will coordinate the program which will be evaluated by the Chicago-based Sinai Urban Health Institute.
Health & Medicine and CHECookCounty Release Statement Urging Cook County Board of Commissioners to Fully Investigate the County’s Gang Database
January 25, 2019On January 23, Health & Medicine and the Collaborative for Health Equity Cook County released a statement to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in support of passage of Item #19-0687 An Ordinance to regulate and develop a long-term plan for the use of any Regional Gang Intelligence Database (RGID) and affiliated data. The so-called gang database contains the names of 25,000 people suspected of being affiliated with more than 400 gangs and gang factions and has been criticized by civil liberties groups for having adverse effects on the lives of those listed even after they have left the gang life.
Board Member Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar Appears on Chicago Tonight to Discuss a New Program to Prevent Opioid Addiction
January 21, 2019Last week, Health & Medicine Board Member Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss a new Illinois program that aims to prevent opioid addiction by allowing patients to take a prescription for painkillers and use it for cannabis instead.
