Morrison bill creates registry for end of life care requests passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – To help physicians meet patients’ end-of-life wishes, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to create an electronic registry to store treatment preferences for critically ill individuals.

“How much or how little treatment a person receives at the end of their life should be up to each individual instead of the one-size-fits-all approach,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This measure will enable physicians to access forms detailing patients’ wishes in a single, accessible location.”

Senate Bill 2644 would establish a statewide electronic registry that would contain Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment forms, which detail what type of medical treatment a critically ill patient does and does not want. POLST forms can help health care practitioners to uphold a person’s wishes regarding their care.

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Morrison measure to protect kids from harmful effects of nicotine passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Nicotine companies marketing to kids is nothing new but now they’re creating vapes that are designed to appear to be school supplies, like a highlighter. State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to prevent these products from being advertised to children.

“The dangerous and addictive nature of nicotine consumption is the reason I have taken a strong stand on this issue,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We should do everything in our power to make it impossible for children to obtain and conceal tobacco products.”

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Morrison leads measure to expand cancer screening coverage

• Morrison

SPRINGFIELD – Standing alongside health care providers and cancer experts at a press conference Tuesday, State Senator Julie Morrison outlined her plan to require insurance to cover preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer.

“Taking preventative measures increases the chances of survival and is more cost effective than treatment,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Since 1990, cancer mortality rates have dropped by 25%. This measure will increase early detection and improve prevention of all types of cancer. With this bill, we are moving the needle further in the right direction.”

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Morrison to expand cancer screening coverage

SPRINGFIELD – Cancer is a serious disease that touches most lives in one way or another.  State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a measure that would require insurance to cover preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer.

“Taking preventative measures increases the chances of survival and is more cost effective than treatment,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Early diagnosis is the best way to tackle the deadly effects of cancer.”

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