IllinoisHealthMatters.org: New Website Is Comprehensive Source for Health Reform Answers

Extensive Information for Individuals, Small Businesses, Providers, and Policymakers

CHICAGO, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health & Disability Advocates today launched Illinois Health Matters (illinoishealthmatters.org), a website funded by The Chicago Community Trust that provides up-to-date information on health care reform and its impact—now and in the future—for Illinois consumers, small businesses, the media and policymakers, and community-based organizations.  The website provides solid facts and busts common myths related to health care reform, including individual decision-making ability, the role of the government in health care, the cost of insurance, and options of small business owners.  

"Amid the ongoing debate about health care reform, it's important that Illinois residents know how it will really affect them and about the changes already taking place," said Barbara Otto, CEO of Health & Disability Advocates. "We are so pleased to offer this resource, because while the move to health care reform may be complicated, it has tremendous potential to improve the health of Illinois residents."

Illinois Health Matters was created jointly by five partners:  Health & Disability Advocates, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, AgeOptions, Campaign for Better Health Care, and Health & Medicine Policy Research Group.

Since the passage of the historic Affordable Care Act, both the federal government and State of Illinois have begun to implement changes to provide affordable, quality care for Illinois residents.  Illinois Health Matters is designed to help individuals, businesses, and community-based organizations make smooth transitions to the changes under way. People with pre-existing conditions, self-employed individuals, seniors, and others can find information pertinent to their own health care situations. Community-based organizations and state policymakers can also find trusted information to help their constituents.  With regular news updates, Illinois Health Matters will provide timely information on legislation, Governor Quinn's Health Care Reform Implementation Council, and events related to health care reform in Illinois.  

Illinois Health Matters explains the key elements of the Affordable Care Act, provides a timeline of when each part of the law will take effect, describes the impact on the citizens of Illinois, and includes a Question and Answer section.  Illinois Health Matters also provides facts and myths, FAQs, event listings, information about training sessions that may be helpful to each audience, and extensive links to more information.

The Illinois Health Matters website was designed by the Chicago-based ad agency Wirestone, which also designed the acclaimed ThinkBeyondTheLabel.org website, providing resources for those with disabilities who wish to enter the workforce.

What You'll Learn from Illinois Health Matters:

• Insurance companies are no longer able to cancel policies when people get sick
• Premiums are no longer based on gender or health condition
• About 194,000 Illinois small businesses with fewer than 25 employees will be eligible for tax credits to decrease the cost of providing insurance
• In 2011, 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries will start receiving free preventive care
• In 2014, all U.S. citizens and legal residents will be required to have qualifying health coverage
• In 2014, more than 1.5 million Illinois residents will be eligible for tax credits to help them buy health insurance.

The website will also include an "Illinois Health Matters Blog" which will feature state and national health care policy experts' opinions and comments about timely health care implementation topics.

About Health & Disability Advocates:

Health & Disability Advocates (HDA) is a state and national policy and advocacy organization that promotes income security, enhances work opportunities, and improves health care access and services for low income children, people with disabilities and older adults.  

About Wirestone, LLC:

Wirestone is a digital marketing solutions agency that specializes in helping world-class brands connect and activate their customers through the creation of insight-driven, targeted customer experiences. Wirestone is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in seven U.S. cities with 175 passionate people. Wirestone's client partners include HP, Microsoft, Nike, Oakley, Motorola, SKYY Spirits, A.C. Moore, Pabst Brewing and Simplot. Visit Wirestone.com or follow at twitter.com/Wirestone for more information. 

SOURCE Health & Disability Advocates