DUPAGE COUNTY HOSTS HEALTHCARE SUMMIT

Hospitals and Healthcare Providers Attend to Address Growing Needs

WHEATON—DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom convened a meeting today comprised of leaders from DuPage area hospitals and large healthcare providers, as well as the Directors of Federally Qualified Health Centers, representatives from Access DuPage, DuPage Medical Society, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Illinois Hospital Association and the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform and County Board members.

The Summit was held to address the growing healthcare needs in DuPage County, particularly among the low-income uninsured. The goal of the Summit was to bring together all parties to lay a foundation for a ‘Safety Net’ that would be sufficient to handle the needs of a growing population of low-income persons.

Chairman Schillerstrom noted that when the meeting was first scheduled there appeared to be issues on the horizon that would seriously impact healthcare in DuPage County. Since that time, several factors have come together that have increased existing healthcare challenges.

Last week the Illinois Legislature declined to call for a vote a proposal that would have given counties the permissive authority to impose a Cigarette Tax. Chairman Schillerstrom had pledged funds from this new revenue source to be dedicated to public health and safety. Additionally, Cook County Hospital is considering a new policy that would restrict care at their facilities to Cook County residents only; and the new Illinois Medicaid System began enrolling patients, which may limit access to participating physicians.

“Given the challenges that face us, it is more critical than ever that we come together to determine ways that we can continue to serve, and even enhance, our service to those in our County that need our help the most,” Chairman Schillerstrom said as he opened the Summit. “We have seen a significant and permanent demographic shift in our population, and our Medicaid population is growing. Our needs will not diminish; they will only grow as our population ages and changes.”

Richard Endress, Executive Director of Access DuPage, chaired the meeting that outlined the significant challenges and then called upon the body to work together to forge solutions. Access DuPage is a not-for-profit agency that acquires healthcare for low-income uninsured DuPage County citizens. In 2006, Access DuPage served over 9500 people.

Mr. Endress encouraged the group to stay focused on the opportunities presented and stated that by working collaboratively; this group had already demonstrated verifiable results and credibility. By expanding an integrated approach to healthcare, sufficient facilities and resources could be found to address the growing healthcare needs and create a sustainable healthcare safety net.

Chairman Schillerstrom added that future success will depend on getting new partners to the table including the insurance industry, the business community and the faith-based community.

Board Member and President of the DuPage County Board of Health, Linda Kurzawa attended the Summit and urged all participants to stay involved in the process. “This is an unprecedented gathering of healthcare professionals from throughout our County. This dialogue is critical to forging a plan and uncovering resources that will advance health care for all our citizens,” Mrs. Kurzawa stated.

The Summit attendees agreed to develop a Safety Net Planning group consisting of top-level healthcare professionals to meet on an on-going basis to develop recommendations to present to the full body. Additionally, the group has agreed to meet as a body no less than twice a year.

“With the participation of the professionals in this room and the commitment of the County Board, I feel confident that the DuPage County Safety Net system will become a model in managing the health of low-income populations effectively and efficiently across the entire continuum of care,” Chairman Schillerstrom concluded.

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