- Champaign County Health Care Consumers - https://www.healthcareconsumers.org -

CCHCC E-Mail Newsletter – April 2010

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CCHCC E-Mail Newsletter – April 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) E-mail Newsletter. The goal of the CCHCC E-mail Newsletter is to keep you up-to-date on CCHCC campaigns and activities, and let you know of ways to support health care justice in your very own community.

Have any feedback for the CCHCC E-mail Newsletter? Want more information on a certain campaign or program? Have a question for “Ask the Advocate?” Email Allison with feedback on the newsletter at allison@HealthCareconsumers.org.

** 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/65743633668

1. CAMPAIGN & PROGRAM UPDATES

— Health Care Access Task Force:
Congratulations! Congress has now passed national health care reform!
Check out some stories of local consumers who will benefit from health reform through CCHCC’s “Faces of Health Reform” project.
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display-Page&id=755

Also, the Carle Hospital/Carle Clinic merger is complete! The merger is a major milestone for our community’s access to health care.

To learn more about the Carle merger, and about health reform, please come to the next Health Care Access Task Force meeting (see below, under Sec. 4: Upcoming Meetings & Events).

— 5th & Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign:
Visit CCHCC’s website to read the March 2010 5th & Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign update (PDF):
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/https://www.healthcareconsumers.org/files/5th&Hill_Newsletter_March10.pdf

— Medicare Task Force:
Check out our factsheets on health reform to see how Medicare beneficiaries will benefit from the health reform legislation that passed.
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display-Page&id=751

2. HEALTH ACTION NETWORK – TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Tell Illinois legislators that voted for health reform “Thank you!”
Share your excitement and appreciation with Representatives who voted yes!

Please call anyone of these Representatives, or all of them, from the list below. Call the toll free line from Families USA at 1-866-922-4970 to thank them.

WHO TO CALL:
– Representative Jan Schakowsky (was always a strong leader for health reform)
– Representative Debbie Halvorson
– Representative Bill Foster
– Representative Jerry Costello
– Representative Melissa Bean
– Representative Bobby Rush
– Representative Mike Quigley

Thank you for your support, and thank you for taking time to contact these legislators

3. ASK AN ADVOCATE

Question: I have an outstanding bill at Carle Clinic that I cannot afford – is there any help for someone in my situation?

Answer: Yes! Last week, Carle Clinic merge with Carle Hospital to become a non-profit health care provider. Carle Clinic will adopt Carle Hospital’s generous financial assistance program, with sliding scale discounts for up to a 100% discount.

If you have an outstanding bill with Carle Clinic or have been no-serviced, call the Consumer Health Hotline for more details on how to apply for financial assistance. Call us today at (217) 352-6533.

4. UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

— Attend the next Health Care Access Task Force meeting on Thursday, April 8, 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, April 15, 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.

5. SUPPORT CCHCC – ATTEND OUR ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER!

The Board and staff of Champaign County Health Care Consumers cordially invite you to celebrate 33 years of community organizing for health care justice at our 2010 Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, April 23, 2010.

CCHCC is honored to recognize this year’s award recipients, and we invite you to join us in celebrating their activism and commitment to health care justice and access. We look forward to this very special celebration and your participation!

Friday, April 23, 2010
Social Hour 6:00 PM – Dinner 6:45 PM
Hawthorn Suites
101 Trade Centre Drive
Champaign, IL 61820

Free Parking – Wheelchair Accessible

Please RSVP by April 16

Tickets will not be mailed, but held at the door. If you would like to come to the Dinner but cannot afford the full price ticket, please contact CCHCC staff.  Thank you!

RSVP by calling (217) 352-6533; emailing cchcc@heatlhcareconsumers.org; or visiting our website:
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display-Page&id=753