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June 24, 2009 THE ILLINOIS DOOMSDAY BUDGET SITUATION This week the Governor has convinced leaders of the General Assembly to come back into special session. The Governor's office believes the state legislature did not give him a balanced budget. The President of the Senate, Senator Cullerton, and the Speaker of the House, Representative Madigan, believes they have. The bottom line is that at the current time we have a high level political game of chicken on the state level. The sad part is that the leadership is using health and behavioral health programs as their own props – including the Illinois State Hemophilia Program. This is very disheartening, placing many vulnerable people in an even more state of heightened anxiety not how they and/or their family member are going to access the vital health care services necessary to live. A little more background before we provide any advice on strategies to become involved in this situation. The Governor’s office has communicated that they are mandated to operate the state with a balanced budget. The Governor’s office has let it be known that if the 50% budget currently on the table is to be implemented they will massively cut health/social services in the state. We have been informed this includes cutting the entire State Hemophilia Program. This program pays for factor and comprehensive treatment visits for 250 – 300 people with bleeding disorders in Illinois each year. Senator Cullerton and Representative Madigan believe they have given the Governor a balanced budget; since they gave him authorization to run the previous year's budget for the next six months. This is being done because if there is to be a tax increase they want to vote on this after the Primary Election petitions have been filed in the fall. Also, when the General Assembly goes into session in January 1 they only need a simple majority to pass the budget. Currently, they need a 2/3 majority to do this which requires the support of the minority party. There is tremendous public pressure mounting to get a budget adopted by July 1 -- the statutory start to the FY 2010 fiscal year. The Governor and similar minded individuals have ramped up the voices of needing a budget with a tax increase in hopes of passing a budget by July 1 or shortly thereafter (legislature has used the deadline of first pay day for employees as a deadline when they've missed July 1). The Leaders of the General Assembly have been very quiet because they are satisfied with the solution they have already delivered. This is a critical time for our voices to be heard. We need to do our best to contact our elected officials and tell them our Program and the full-range of human services for the state are vitally important. When you do make these telephone calls (we do not have time to write) identify how you are directly connected to the bleeding disorder community and share your personal story. Also, don’t forget to let them know that you are a constituent – actually one of his/her bosses. We will keep you formed as this moves to a resolution. If there is a compromise I am still anticipating that there may be changes to our program funding. We will have to make adjustments and plans for how we are going to adapt to this. If there is not a compromise, then it will be a completely different situation which we are already outlining how to approach. Bottom line, today, we all need to express our appreciation to the administration and legislature for the support of the Hemophilia Assistance Program since 1972 and note it needs to be continued. Keeping Hemophilia in their minds is a very good call.
Bob Robinson |
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Read Laurie Kelley's new blog! Laurie is the mother of a child with hemophilia, and founded LA Kelley Communications, Inc. in 1990 to provide practical educational materials for families. |
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Hemophilia Emergency Care
Atencion de Emergencia para la Hemofilia
www.hemophiliaemergencycare.com A site designed to assist you when seeking care in emergency rooms or treatment facilities aside from your Hemophilia Treatment Center. |
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