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.

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Morrison: Budget address calls for financial sustainability

• Budget
• Budget Address

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after attending Governor Pritzker’s budget address:

“For the past few years, Illinois has successfully dodged a post-pandemic recession. Today’s budget address shows promise for maintaining financial stability and certainty by taking necessary precautions to ensure the future of our state and economy. Residents in our community expect us to make responsible decisions, the same way they make responsible decisions with their own budgets.

“While changes in spending may be appropriate, I call on Governor Pritzker and my colleagues to protect funding for the environment and infrastructure. We’ve made progress on our climate goals here in Illinois, but there is always more work to be done.

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Morrison sends strength to victims of the Super Bowl Parade shooting

HIGHWOOD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after the Kansas City Super Bowl Parade shooting:

“I send my strength and support to the victims and their loved ones who were at the Kansas City Super Bowl parade. An afternoon that was supposed to be celebratory turned into a lifetime of grieving for the family and friends of the deceased and injured, and years of trauma for attendees.”

“In times like these, I am reminded of the lasting pain of the Highland Park shooting. No one should have to live in fear of this happening in their community. My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this heinous event.”

Morrison to expand cancer screening coverage

• Insurance
• Health Care
• SB 2697

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison is leading a measure that would require insurance to cover preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer.

“Early diagnosis is the best way to tackle the deadly effects of cancer,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Sadly, due to the lack of preventable screenings, many people aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late.”

Morrison’s measure would provide coverage for evidence-based cancer imaging for patients with an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, insurance would be required to cover genetic testing for an inherited gene mutation for individuals with a family history of cancer.

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