[Peace-discuss] CCHCC E-Mail Newsletter - November 2010

Mon Nov 1 17:59:44 CDT 2010

For those not on the CCHCC e-list...

--- On Mon, 11/1/10, Allison Jones <allison at healthcareconsumers.org> wrote
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CCHCC E-Mail Newsletter - November 2010
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1. Campaign & Program Updates
2. Health Action Network
3. Ask an Advocate
4. Upcoming Meetings & Events
5. Support CCHCC

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Dear Friends,

Welcome! Thank you for reading the Champaign County Health Care Consumers
(CCHCC) November E-mail Newsletter.

The fall has been a busy time for CCHCC and health care justice, so read on
for great information and updates!

1. CAMPAIGN & PROGRAM UPDATES

-- Health Care Access Task Force:
* Join us for the next National Health Reform Implementation Workshop on
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 on the topic of changes to Medicare. Read below
in the Medicare Task Force update section for details on the workshop. 

* On Thursday, October 28 at 10:30 a.m., Champaign County Health Care
Consumers released the results of a Candidate Survey completed by the
candidates running for an Illinois seat in the U.S. Senate, Representative
of the 15th Congressional District, Governor, Illinois State Senate, and
Illinois State Representative of the 103rd District. The survey asked
candidates about a number of health care and other social-economic issues,
including national health reform, Medicare Part D, Social Security, and
Medicaid. The survey results were compiled to create the CCHCC Health Care
Voter Guide for 2010. The purpose of the Voter Guide is to help inform
voters about where candidates stand on key health care and social issues, so
that voters can be better prepared to vote in the upcoming November 2, 2010
election.

Visit our website to download the Voter Guide today! 
http://www.healthcareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display%20Page&id=800

-- 5th & Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign:
The 5th & Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign continues to hold regular
bi-weekly meetings with residents and concerned community members. On
Monday, October 4 the campaign was thrilled to welcome two environmental
expert consultants, Robert Bowcock of Integrated Resources Management and
Mark Zeko of Environmental Engineering and Consulting, Inc. to Champaign for
two important meetings.  The legal team made up of New York based law firms,
Kennedy & Madonna, LLP and Weitz & Luxenberg P.C., hired Mr. Bowcock and Mr.
Zeko to conduct research and environmental testing on behalf of the
residents.   Mr. Bowcock and Mr. Zeko came to Champaign to first meet with
the City of Champaign and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
regarding the City's groundwater prohibition ordinance that allows Ameren to
not clean up any of the extensively contaminated groundwater that is found
throughout the neighborhood.  The meeting was a great success. The
consultants remarked that not only is the City of Champaign giving away a
precious natural resource through the use of this ordinance but also the
ordinance could be infringing on personal property rights.  

The second meeting that Mr. Bowcock and Mr. Zeko came to Champaign for was a
large community meeting that took place on Monday October 4 at 6 p.m. at
Provena Hospital.  The meeting was organized to discuss the concerns the 5th
& Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign has about the clean up of the toxic
waste site and the oversight of the IL EPA.  At this meeting our consultants
announced the results of the initial sub-slab vapor intrusion tests that
were conducted for six homes in the neighborhood.  The consultants also
discussed the City of Champaign's groundwater ordinance and urged the
residents and community to get involved to repeal or amend that ordinance so
that Ameren will be forced to address the contaminated groundwater in a
meaningful way. 

-- Medicare Task Force:
Join us for the next National Health Reform Educational Workshop! The second
workshop in the series, "Help for Medicare Beneficiaries: New Medicare
Benefits and Tips for Part D Open Enrollment," will take place on Wednesday,
November 3, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Champaign Public Library. This
workshop will focus on changes to Medicare, including coverage of preventive
care, donut hole rebates, and other new benefits under health reform. The
workshop will also give information and consumer tips on Part D open
enrollment. This workshop will be very helpful for anyone who has Medicare
or is taking care of someone with Medicare during this very confusing time
of year. 

Visit our website for more information and to RSVP!
http://www.healthcareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display%20Page&id=786

You can also download materials from the previous workshop on Insurance
Regulations here: 
http://www.healthcareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display%20Page&id=799

2. HEALTH ACTION NETWORK - TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Vote!

Midterm elections are coming up on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 and CCHCC
encourages everyone to get out and make your voices heard! 

To check your voter registration status, find your polling place, see a
sample ballot, or get more information about voting in Champaign County,
contact: 

Champaign County Clerk
1776 E. Washington St.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3720
mail at champaigncountyclerk.com
www.champaigncountyclerk.com

3. ASK AN ADVOCATE

Question: Where can I file a complaint on a billing dispute with my
insurance company? 

Answer: In the state of Illinois, the best place to file a complaint for a
dispute with your insurance company is the Attorney General's Health Care
Bureau. Health Care Bureau attorneys conduct investigations and file
lawsuits to enforce consumer protection laws. Common Health Care Bureau
complaints include billing disputes, denials of coverage, unfair insurance
practices, unfair debt collection practices, and other health care and
insurance problems. You can file a complaint against a health plan,
provider, or anyone who engaged in fraudulent or deceptive practices in the
health care market. You can reach the Health Care Bureau's Health Care Help
Line at l-877-305-5145. You can also download a complaint form and find more
resources on their website:
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/healthcare.html

Call CCHCC's Consumer Health Hotline for more information or with other
health care questions at (217) 352-6533. 

4. UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

-- Attend the next Health Care Access Task Force meeting on Thursday,
December 16, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church (Green
and Goodwin in Urbana). The Health Care Access Task Force meets each month
to work on health care access in our community. We'd love to see you there!
Call us at(217) 352-6533 with questions or to RSVP.

-- Interested in working for a better prescription drug benefit for Medicare
beneficiaries? Then join the Medicare Task Force on Thursday, November 18,
2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church (210 W. Church in
Champaign). Call Anne at (217) 352-6533 for more information.

-- Save the Date! CCHCC's Annual Holiday Party will be held Friday, December
10, 2010. An official invitation will be coming soon, but be sure to mark
your calendars today!

5. SUPPORT CCHCC!

Support CCHCC and learn more about health reform!

Champaign County Health Care Consumers needs your support as we work on
national health reform implementation - educating and counseling consumers
about new benefits, and organizing to pass state regulations and legislation
to implement certain health reform provisions and create additional
protections for Illinois residents.

Please read on for more information about the health reform provisions that
take effect now, the role of the state in health reform implementation, and
to learn what CCHCC is doing to educate consumers and to organize for real
insurance regulation and consumer protections:
http://www.healthcareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display%20Page&id=794

** Support CCHCC on Facebook! **

-- Join our group today!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2202365547
-- And become a Fan!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Champaign-County-Health-Care-Consumers/6574363
3668

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Champaign County Health Care Consumers
44 E. Main Street  Suite 208
Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: (217) 352-6533
Fax:   (217) 352-9745
E-mail: cchcc at healthcareconsumers.org
Web:    www.healthcareconsumers.org
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Support health care justice - donate to CCHCC today! Visit our website to make a tax-deductible contribution today.
http://www.healthcareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Donation
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