For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
May 28, 2008

Legislation Supporting Access DuPage Would Provide Greater Access to Health Care in DuPage County

Measure awaits final action by Governor

WHEATON — DuPage County Board Chairman Robert J. Schillerstrom is pleased a bill that would expand access to health care in DuPage County is one step closer to becoming law.  The measure, which passed the Illinois Senate on Tuesday, would enhance community based programs like Access DuPage, which provide quality medical services to those DuPage residents who lack access due to economic reasons.

House Bill 4869, which now awaits final action by the Governor, provides tort immunity for those doctors or specialists who deliver donated medical services in their own offices, in addition to providing the free medical care on-site at a medical clinic.

Today, the majority of office visits occur in the physician’s offices and in the client’s own community versus at a medical clinic, thus eliminating transportation barriers and the stigma of visiting a “free medical clinic.” This legislation allows for medical providers to not be held liable for the charity medical care they provide with the exception of any illegal or unethical medical practices. 

“This measure takes the intent of the existing law and applies it to innovative, new models of delivering care like Access DuPage,” says Schillerstrom.  “It increases the likelihood that volunteer physicians and specialists, as well as other providers, will be available to serve a population that historically have fallen through the cracks of our health care system.”

Due to the fact that many clients referred to Access DuPage have complex medical issues, an increasing number of specialists are needed, many of whom are unwilling to take referrals from Access DuPage without this stated protection.  Currently, there are over 300 physicians who participate in Access DuPage, and this measure will help increase that number.

Last year, hospitals and physicians provided over $25 million in donated care to Access DuPage clients.  This public-private partnership provides medical care to over 10,000 low-income, uninsured county residents.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to State Representative Patti Bellock and State Senator Kirk Dillard for their leadership and diligence over the past several years to secure passage of this legislation,” said Schillerstrom.  “County Governments are increasingly becoming a safety net for many unmet needs in our community, most notably health care.  House Bill 4869 is needed in order to continue to attract the medical professionals we require to deliver basic medical care to our uninsured residents.”

To view House Bill 4869, please visit www.ilga.gov.  To learn more about Access DuPage, go to www.accessdupage.org.

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