Posts by Dani Hunter
Paying the price of HIV
Chicago resident Jared Wile can no longer afford his $1,600/month HIV prevention medication. Up until a few months ago, Jared never had to pay any out-of-pocket costs. Instead, he used a copay coupon to cover the costs of the medicine PrEP, an HIV prevention medication that, when taken daily, is proven to be 90% effective in preventing HIV. But in May, Jared learned that he could no longer use the copay coupon for the medication.
Read MoreGovernor Signs New ‘Stock Asthma Rescue Medication’ Law Making Schools Safer for Children with Asthma
For Immediate Release: August 7, 2018 Contact: Erica Krutsch Desk – 312-628-0225 Cell –734-262-4527 Stock Asthma Rescue Medication’ Legislation Aims to Protect Students with Asthma CHICAGO – Illinois schools are one step closer to creating a safer environment for students living with asthma. Stock Asthma Rescue Medication in Schools (SB 3015) was passed by the…
Read MoreNew Approaches to Childhood Lead-Poisoning
Legal Council for Health Justice, in partnership with Erikson Institute and the Early Intervention Training Program, held the first of two trainings for Early Intervention service coordinators and providers as part of the launch of our innovative pilot project “New Approaches to Childhood Lead-Poisoning: Expanding Access to Early Intervention Services.”
Read MorePolicy Update: Legal Council Advocacy Victories
May was a busy month for the legal experts here at Legal Council for Health Justice. When we weren’t serving and empowering low-income people with chronic illnesses or disabilities at over a dozen on-site clinics across the city, or suing the State of Illinois on behalf of thousands of Illinoisans wrongfully delayed or denied Medicaid coverage, OR leading advocacy efforts in the State Board of Education investigation into CPS’ special education program and procedural violations, our team was hard at work advocating for numerous policies across the State.
Read MoreLegal Council Advocates VS. CPS Special Education
After a public inquiry team, led by the Illinois State Board of Education, spent the last five months investigating Chicago Public Schools’ Special Education policies and practices and found significant and unnecessary delays and denials in services, the Board voted Wednesday to approve an independent monitor to oversee CPS as it works to implement changes.
Read More4th Annual May Ball was a Derby Day Success!
Thanks to all those who supported the 4th Annual May Ball on May 5 at the stunning home of Dr. Nabeela Rasheed and Fawzia Mirza. Over 175 attendees packed the house on the most beautiful evening of the year to date, donning derby attire (read: big, bold hats) with lots of festive spring color! We even had…
Read More‘Stock Asthma Rescue Medication’ Legislation Aims to Protect Students with Asthma
For Immediate Release: April 27, 2018 Contact: Erica Krutsch Desk – 312-628-0225 Cell –734-262-4527 ‘Stock Asthma Rescue Medication’ Legislation Aims to Protect Students with Asthma CHICAGO – Illinois schools are one step closer to creating a safer environment for students living with asthma. Stock Asthma Rescue Medication in Schools (SB 3015) passed the Illinois Senate…
Read MoreWhat’s at the intersection of health care and social needs? Medical-legal partnerships.
A single mom has to choose between paying for her diabetes medication and paying to feed her two children. A toddler is exposed to lead while playing at home and now has trouble developing his learning and language skills. A young law student drops out of school after being diagnosed with cancer in order to…
Read MoreBeyond Shame & Stigma
Our sold out panel discussion “HIV Criminalization: Beyond Shame & Stigma,” co-sponsored with our friends at TPAN, was a great success this past Thursday, Feb 15. The expert panel included Maurice Chapman formerly of South Suburban HIV/AIDS Regional Clinics, Dr. Trevor Hoppe of SUNY-Albany and author of Punishing Disease, Vera Lamarr of Sex Workers Outreach Project, and Scott Schoettes…
Read MoreNew Ways to Combat Lead-Poisoning
In 2015, 10,322 kids in Illinois had elevated lead levels in their blood–and that’s only the kids tested. Many children don’t have access or aren’t eligible for the services necessary to help children after lead exposure. Those services are called Early Intervention. According to Dr. Nicole Hamp of the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital:…
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