Morrison to increase resources for gambling disorders

SPRINGFIELD – Access to gambling is on the rise and with it has come an increase in addictive gambling behaviors. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced legislation to provide prevention, treatment and recovery services for gambling disorders.

“Like many drugs, gambling activates an addictive part of our brain,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “People who struggle with a gambling disorder deserve the same help and treatment as someone with a drug dependency.”

Read more …

Morrison to protect kids from harmful effects of nicotine

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 introduced a measure to prevent these products from being sold.

“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.”

Read more …

Morrison advances plan to protect nursing home residents

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure nursing home residents receive proper care during ownership changes, State Senator Julie Morrison advanced legislation requiring facilities to develop comprehensive transition plans.

“Quality of care for nursing home residents should not be disrupted because of an unclear transition process,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This legislation requires transfer plans from current owners to new owners and increases protection for residents.”

Senate Bill 3115 would require owners of a facility to submit a transition plan detailing how resident care and appropriate staffing levels will be maintained throughout the process of changing ownership.  

Read more …

Morrison to give physicians a new resource for end-of-life care

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

“How much or how little treatment a person gets at their end-of-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 will establish a statewide electronic registry that will contain Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) 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.

Read more …