Executive Summary
In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. Since that time, more than one million Illinois residents gained insurance coverage through either the Health Insurance Marketplace or the Medicaid Expansion, and the uninsured rate in Illinois has fallen by 49 percent.
With ongoing threats to the ACA from Congress, advocates are taking a close look at how its possible repeal will impact vulnerable populations, both locally and nationally, with a particular focus on the numbers who will lose their health care coverage.
With this brief, the Respiratory Health Association (RHA) focused on why a repeal of the ACA would be bad for lung health. Several provisions of the ACA have been particularly valuable to efforts to prevent and improve health outcomes for people living with asthma and other respiratory conditions; we highlight four of those:
- Dependent Coverage for Young Adults: Reducing Asthma Emergency Room Visits
- Medicaid Expansion: Improving Quality of Asthma Care
- The Prevention and Public Health Fund: Supporting Tobacco Control
- Requiring Coverage for Pre-Existing Condition: Making Treatment Affordable
Date of Publication: May 2017
If you have questions or would like additional information about the Affordable Care Act and lung health, please contact Erica Salem via email esalem@resphealth.org or by phone (312) 628-0235.
Lung Cancer Support Group
Ongoing support group for people with lung cancer and their caregivers to share medical information, connect with others in similar circumstances and improve their coping skills.
2nd Wednesdays | July 12, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Staff Registration Required
Please contact Kelli Mitchell at 630.654.5197 or kmitchell@wellnesshouse.org to register for this group prior to attending.
Wellness House
at NCH Wellness Center
900 W Central Rd
Arlington Heights.
Cancer Support Group
Ongoing 8-week support group for people with cancer to share medical information, connect with others in similar circumstances and improve their coping skills. This group meets at the same time as the Caregiver Support Group.
Wednesdays | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Staff Registration Required
Please contact Michael Williams, PsyD at 630.654.5117 or mwilliams@wellnesshouse.org to register for this group prior to attending.
Wellness House
131 North County Line Road
Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
Caregiver Support Group
Providing emotional and often physical care to one’s family member or friend with cancer requires energy and the need for caregivers to receive support for themselves as they continue to care for their loved ones. Network with other caregivers in this ongoing 8-week support group, which meets at the same time as the Cancer Support Group.
Wednesdays | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Staff Registration Required
Please contact Maigenete Mengesha, PhD at 630.654.5111 or mmengesha@wellnesshouse.org to register for this group prior to attending.
Wellness House
131 North County Line Road
Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
