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Durbin Statement on House Vote to Repeal Health Care
CHICAGO-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to repeal health care for 24 million Americans: The Illinois Congressmen who voted to repeal health care today ignored clear warnings from every Illinois medical organization that this will be a disaster for our state. They were driven by political arrogance instead of common sense. My recent medical experience reminded me how vulnerable we all are. I will fight … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Durbin Undergoes Outpatient Procedure at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
CHICAGO-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin's recent annual physical found a condition known as atrial flutter, "a common abnormal heart rhythm," according to the Heart Rhythm Society. He had had no symptoms and maintained his regular schedule before and after discovering it. After discussing his treatment options, Durbin chose a procedure known as catheter ablation, a low-risk outpatient procedure where "the catheter emits a pulse of painless radiofrequency energy which destroys the … Continue Reading
April 28, 2017
Durbin: Latest GOP Health Care Repeal Attempt Makes a Bad Bill Even Worse
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called out congressional Republicans for their renewed efforts to repeal health care by introducing a new amendment that would make their original plan to repeal health care even worse. "The new version of the Affordable Care Act repeal that the Republicans are now considering in the House would significantly raise costs on Americans aged 50 and above and would gut protections for people with pre-existing … Continue Reading
April 21, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $16 Million in Federal Funding to Combat Opioid Addiction Epidemic in Illinois
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $16,328,583 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help combat the prescription drug epidemic that has been ravaging the state. This funding, which is the first of two rounds provided for in the 21st Century Cures Act, will support a comprehensive array of prevention, treatment, and recovery services. "The heroin and prescription drug … Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Durbin, Senators Demand Trump Administration Release Secret Plan to Undermine Health Care System That Was Presented to House Freedom Caucus
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined 20 U.S. Senators in a letter to Tom Price, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling on the Trump Administration to release a secret plan that was presented to the House Freedom Caucus. In a bid to win the far right group's support, reports indicate that the Administration identified specific Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules that the Administration would gut in exchange for the Freedom Caucus' support. With … Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Durbin Joins Milestone Effort to Bring Down Prescription Drug Prices
WASHINGTON - In the wake of Congressional Republicans' failed attempt to rip health coverage away from millions of Americans, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Al Franken (D-MN) in launching a major push to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by bringing down the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs, one of the main reasons why health care costs are rising. An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that prescription drug prices are too high and that we need action to lower … Continue Reading
March 23, 2017
New Durbin Report Breaks Down Impacts of Republican Health Care Repeal in 18 Illinois Congressional Districts
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released a report titled "TrumpCare: Less for More, An Analysis of the Impact of Repealing the Affordable Care Act on Illinois," which details what Illinois stands to lose if President Trump and Congressional Republicans are successful in passing their legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). After requesting information from every hospital, public health department, and major medical society in the state, the report summarizes how … Continue Reading
March 21, 2017
Durbin Statement On Republican Rewrite Of Health Care Repeal Bill
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after House Republican leadership released changes to their health care repeal legislation aimed at garnering support from a handful of new members of their conference: "The last minute revisions made behind closed doors make a bad bill even worse. Larding Trumpcare up with political giveaways and kickbacks only means higher costs and less health care for seniors, hardworking families, and rural … Continue Reading
March 17, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $1 Million For Chicago Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded two community health centers in Chicago a total of $1,336,564 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program. Community health centers are community-based organizations that improve access to affordable, high-quality health care in underserved urban and rural communities by integrating primary … Continue Reading
March 17, 2017
Durbin: GOP Health Care Repeal Bill Hurts Older Illinoisans
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of Congressional Republicans' plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it would particularly hurt those nearing retirement age, as well as seniors. Last week, GOP leaders unveiled their ACA repeal bill and three House Committees have approved the bill along party line votes. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the GOP bill would result in 14 million people losing their health plans … Continue Reading
March 16, 2017
Durbin Statement on Medical Research Funding in President's Budget
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), co-chair of the Senate's bipartisan NIH caucus and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on funding cuts for federal agencies that conduct medical research included in the President's FY2018 budget request: "America's best scientists and researchers should spend their time finding ways to treat and cure diseases, not worrying about their budgets. President Trump's budget would gut NIH's budget by a … Continue Reading
March 15, 2017
Durbin Reintroduces Legislation To Preserve American Leadership In Biomedical And Scientific Research
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced a pair of bills to preserve America's standing as a leader in scientific discovery and innovation. The American Innovation Act and The American Cures Act would steadily increase funding for biomedical and scientific research conducted at the nation's premier federal research agencies. "These bills will allow America's best scientists and researchers to spend less time worrying about their budgets and more time creating new … Continue Reading
March 14, 2017
Durbin: Republican Health Care Repeal Bill Means Tens Of Millions Lose Health Insurance
WASHINGTON - Following the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) blistering analysis of Republicans' plan to repeal health care, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) explained how the proposal would hurt millions in Illinois and across the country, especially seniors and low- and middle-income families. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin slammed the Republican bill for providing tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations in America while increasing … Continue Reading
March 13, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Urge Rauner To Weigh In On Republican Health Care Repeal Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) once again called on Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to explain how Congressional Republicans' plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act will affect Illinois families, health care providers, and the state's economy. The senators expressed concern that a new Republican bill-which is currently being rammed through Congress without appropriate analysis or consideration-would take away health care from millions of Americans, … Continue Reading
March 13, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $3.5 Million In Federal Funding For Prevention Health Services Across Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded the Illinois Department of Public Health $3,622,508 through the Prevention and Public Health Fund. The Prevention Fund was established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to provide $16 billion over 10 years to states and localities to invest in effective and innovative prevention efforts - like childhood obesity prevention and tobacco … Continue Reading
March 13, 2017
Durbin Statement On CBO Analysis Of Trumpcare
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the House Republican health care repeal, which estimates that 14 million people would lose their health insurance by 2018, and cause 24 million people to lose coverage by 2026: The CBO score is in, and 24 million Americans are out. This is the Republicans' answer to health care in America-24 million people without health … Continue Reading
March 07, 2017
Durbin Statement On Republican Health Care Repeal Plan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after House Republicans released their health care repeal legislation: "The Republican health care repeal plan would cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. It increases costs for seniors and middle-class families and cuts benefits. It would end Medicaid as we know it-hurting seniors, children, people with disabilities, as well as shifting costs onto already-stretched state … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
Durbin, Casey Reintroduce Bill To Support Congenital Heart Defect Research
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bob Casey (D-PA) reintroduced legislation to promote federal research on congenital heart defects (CHD) and raise awareness of the impact these health problems have throughout patients' lives. The Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act also helps states collect data on the prevalence of CHD and understand trends and disparities among those living with CHD. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced its … Continue Reading
February 22, 2017
Durbin Encourages Illinois Medical And Dental Schools To Partner With DEA On Opioid Prescription Training
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged medical and dental schools across Illinois to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host informal training sessions for students about responsible opioid prescribing and recommendations from the field for confronting the opioid epidemic. In a letter to the schools, Durbin noted that health care providers - as well as those responsible for training the next generation of medical professionals - are the gatekeepers between … Continue Reading
February 10, 2017
Durbin Hears from Southern Illinois Healthcare Leaders on Local Impact of Repealing Affordable Care Act
CARBONDALE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Southern Illinois healthcare leaders regarding the local impact of congressional Republicans' plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Last month, Republican leaders took the first step in repealing the law by approving a budget that allows for major provisions of the ACA to be eliminated by simple majority vote. On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order giving federal agencies broad authority to undo … Continue Reading