Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Health Care
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Bipartisan U.S. Innovation And Competition Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021. The legislation represents the largest investment in U.S. science and technology leadership since the Apollo era. It will authorize more than $100 billion over five years to support breakthrough scientific discovery and technological innovation in 10 key areas that are vital to building an innovation … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $105 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding For Mental Health And Addiction Treatment In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois has been awarded nearly $105 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to help communities grappling with mental health and addiction challenges that have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Department of Human Services will receive $54.7 million in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funding and $50.2 million in Community Mental … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin Questions CDC Director On Community Violence Prevention, COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, today participated in a Subcommittee hearing on President Biden's Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Budget Request for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During the hearing, Durbin questioned the witnesses-Director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, and Principal Deputy Director of the CDC, Dr. Anne … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
Durbin, Wyden, Krishnamoorthi, DeLauro Press Biden Administration To Support Tobacco Tax Equity Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today pressed the Biden Administration to support their proposal to close loopholes exploited by the tobacco industry, establish a new tax on e-cigarettes, and increase the tobacco tax rate within legislative negotiations surrounding the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. In a letter to Brian Deese, Director of … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Senate Passes Durbin, Collins Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Important Work Of Doulas
WASHINGTON-Today, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes; lowering pregnancy and childbirth related costs; and reducing the impact of racial bias on pregnant and postpartum women of color. Further, the resolution designates the week of May 9th as National Doula Week, in honor of the … Continue Reading
April 29, 2021
Durbin Statement On Proposed FDA Ban Of Menthol Cigarettes And Flavored Cigars
WASHINGTON-U.S Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will propose a ban on the use of menthol in cigarettes, as well as a ban on the use of all flavors-including menthol-in cigars: "Cigarettes addict, sicken, and kill. For years, Big Tobacco has added menthol flavor to mask the harshness, and targeted these addictive products to Black smokers. There is zero public health justification for … Continue Reading
April 23, 2021
Durbin Holds Virtual News Conference To Discuss Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Treatment
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with Illinois mental health and addiction treatment experts to discuss how the American Rescue Plan (ARP) will help provide care and treatment for mental health, trauma, and substance use disorders, which have only been compounded across Illinois by the COVID-19 pandemic-especially within communities of color. Illinois has already received $63 million through the ARP in substance abuse block grant funding and $29 million in … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Durbin, Portman Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Save Seniors, Taxpayers Billions In Prescription Drug Costs From Big Pharma's Wasteful Pricing
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced a bipartisan bill that would reduce the egregious wasted spending on discarded medications that are the result of excessively large, single-use drug vials. The Recovering Excessive Funds for Unused and Needless Drugs (REFUND) Act would enable Medicare to recoup money from drug companies who are paid for wasted medications, and provide savings to seniors enrolled in Medicare. Durbin … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Durbin, Kelly, Duckworth, Underwood Meet With Maternal And Child Health Groups & Dr. Ezike To Discuss Ground-Breaking Illinois Efforts To Improve Health Outcomes For New Moms
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) met virtually with national and Illinois-based maternal and child health advocates, as well as Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, to discuss last week's approval of Illinois' 1115 waiver, which will extend health care coverage for new moms on Medicaid in Illinois from 60 … Continue Reading
April 16, 2021
Durbin Marks Autism Acceptance Month With The Autism Society Of Southern Illinois
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke virtually with the Autism Society of Southern Illinois to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. The Autism Society of Sothern Illinois provides services to those on the autism spectrum without regard to a person's age, race, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or income level. Members of the Autism Society of America, Illinois Autism Task Force, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Autism Workforce also were on the … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Durbin, Maloney Introduce Legislation To Expand Family Leave Protections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY-12), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, today introduced legislation that would modernize the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for the 21st Century. The Family Medical Leave Modernization Act will guarantee small necessities leave and make important updates to the definition of family to ensure a broader range of caregiving relationships are covered by FMLA's … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleague Introduce Black Maternal Health Week Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce a resolution recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, "to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons." Black Maternal Health Week is observed from April 11 through April 17. "Too many families … Continue Reading
April 12, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly, Underwod Applaud Biden Administration For Signing Illinois Waiver Extending Health Care Coverage For New Moms
WASHINGTON - During Black Maternal Health Week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today applauded the Biden Administration for approving and signing Illinois' 1115 waiver, which will extend health care coverage for new moms on Medicaid in Illinois from 60 days after pregnancy to a full year. In February 2020, Durbin and Kelly led 14 members of the Illinois … Continue Reading
April 08, 2021
Durbin, Hospital Leaders Discuss Initiatives to Address Rural Health Care Challenges
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today held a virtual press conference with rural health leaders in Illinois to discuss efforts to protect the future of rural hospitals and address critical shortages in the health workforce, including highlighting new funding he secured in the American Rescue Plan for health care providers. Durbin was joined by the CEOs of hospitals in Macomb and Eldorado, Illinois. Small hospitals are the backbone of rural communities, and often the largest … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Durbin, Lankford, Kinzinger, Panetta Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Support Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act, which would support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing risk of closure. The legislation would update Medicare's "Critical Access Hospital" (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care services. Small and … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Durbin Called to Oval Office Meeting to Discuss Medical Research with President Biden
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with President Joe Biden and a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in the Oval Office to discuss how best to achieve advances in the fight against cancer. For years, Durbin has been a leader in the Congressional effort to restore the United States' commitment to breakthrough scientific and biomedical research. Thanks to Durbin's efforts as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the base budget for the … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce MOMMA Act to Reduce Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the bicameral Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act. The legislation seeks to reduce America's rising maternal and infant mortality rate, especially for moms and babies of color who are significantly more likely to die during or shortly after pregnancy. On average, maternal mortality claims the lives of about 700 American moms each year-an additional 70,000 women suffer … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Durbin Discusses Mental Health, Opioid Overdose Epidemic Amid COIVD-19 & Need to Pass Biden's American Rescue Plan
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the drastic increase in opioid overdose deaths and suicides in 2020. Durbin highlighted that there were more suicides by Black residents of Cook County, Illinois, in 2020 than over the past ten years, with a total of 437 residents taking their lives. At the same time, more than 700 Cook County residents … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Durbin Discusses Supporting Caregivers with NDWA and SEIU
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the status of a COVID-19 relief bill with Ai Jen Poo, Executive Director of National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Missouri and Kansas. During the call, Durbin discussed how Congress can better support caregivers and the essential work that these individuals provide. Nearly 90 percent of … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Durbin, Cortez Masto, Senate Dems Introduce Bill to Protect Unemployed Workers' Health Insurance During Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), together with 11 Senate Democrats, today re-introduced the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act, a bill that would protect millions of unemployed or furloughed workers from losing their health insurance in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would allow laid off workers to remain on their employer health plans, through the COBRA program, at no cost. "Recent estimates have shown that millions of … Continue Reading