Modernizing Chicago’s outdated health care system must be a top policy priority in this year’s legislative session in Illinois.
For years, patients have felt the impacts of dated laws, overburdened systems and deepening health care workforce shortages. In the past two decades, nearly 1 in 4 Cook County hospitals have shuttered their doors, and eight hospitals have closed in Chicago alone. Research shows Illinois will face a shortage of 6,200 physicians in the state by 2030 and a deficit of 15,000 nurses by the end of this year.
As chief medical officer of the American Academy of Physician Associates and a physician associate/assistant with over 21 years of experience practicing in Chicago, I have witnessed how outdated laws perpetuate health inequities and access barriers. This has created a harsh reality that is evident throughout the city: Our health care system is dated, and often leaves vulnerable individuals without essential access, care and support.
By unlocking the full potential of physician associates and other health care professionals, we will take a step forward in realigning our city’s health care system to better match how care is delivered today.
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Lawmakers must modernize health care practices statewide to create an environment where all health care providers are fully utilized, particularly physician associates. By passing SB271 (sponsored by state Sen. Javier Loera Cervantes, D-Chicago) and HB 2468 (state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora), bureaucratic requirements that hinder access to care will be removed to allow skilled health care professionals to practice to the full extent of their licensure.
Despite the profession’s growth and expertise over several decades, physician assistants face arbitrary, restrictive regulations in Chicago. The research is clear: Removing unnecessary regulatory barriers improves access to high-quality, timely and cost-effective care, without compromising patient safety.
Most Illinoisans agree that unlocking the potential of physician associates is a viable solution. A Harris Poll survey found that 89% of Illinois respondents believe they should be utilized to address health care workforce shortages, and 90% of Illinoisans agree physician assistants should be allowed to practice to the extent of their training, education and experiences.
Empowering physician associates to practice to the fullest extent of their abilities is not just a logical step — it’s a necessary one.
Jennifer M. Orozco-Kolb, Fox River Grove
Dark days already under Trump
It’s become almost impossible to wake up in the morning without the feeling of dread as to what Donald Trump has in store for the American people. Each day a new directive is issued that seems impossible to imagine in the United States. A tyrant has taken power through the will of 49% of Americans who voted (36% of eligible voters didn’t even bother to vote), and now we are well on the road to a very dark place. Trump shocks the nation daily with illegal and immoral executive orders that violate every principle of our history and democracy as the courts and Congress stand by helpless.
Where to begin? Trump has intentionally thrown so much at the country at once that our system of checks and balances is paralyzed. His transparent tactics are to dismantle and purge all our institutions and departments of government to make way for his loyalist administration. For example, he is willing to endanger our safety and national security by eliminating experienced FBI agents to ensure that no one will take the risk of investigating him or his cronies. Experience, professional, dedicated civil servants are purged to ensure Trump an unhindered path to absolute power and wealth. This is totalitarian behavior and unlawful in the U.S.
In addition to these callous purges, Trump has targeted undocumented people, naming them violent criminals who threaten the security of the U.S. Without any form of due process, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are rounding up people who may have nothing more than a traffic violation. This is being done after Trump pardoned Jan. 6 rioters, many of whom had attacked and wounded Capitol police. Trump wants to send thousands of undocumented people to Guantanamo Bay, which he refers to as a detention center. Let’s be clear: that term is just a euphemism for a notorious prison for terrorism suspects following the 9/11 attacks. Guantanamo will become another “gulag” where the press and humanitarian watch groups will most likely not be admitted.
Are these the values of America? Is this what Republican voters asked for? Is this the fear that blankets the country today? I thought Trump voters stated they were voting for lower gas and grocery prices.
Well, folks, you swallowed the Kool-Aid and sold out your country. Do you think you’ll ever get it back?
Betty Kleinberg, Deerfield
More Illinois Dems need to stand up
Outside of Gov. JB Pritzker, the silence from our local Democratic congressional delegation has been deafening over the past month. At a time when they should be constantly criticizing the teardown of democracy by the president and his sidekick Elon Musk, we hear nothing from them. Could the possibility of a primary challenge cause them to better represent us? Or are they so complacent that they think all they need to do is fundraise and just show up at the next election?
Tom Moritz, Tinley Park
Ugly Americans?
The peak of the tourist season is fast approaching. With the appalling actions that President Donald Trump has instituted, how will Americans be treated in foreign lands? With empathy or with disdain?
Sam Solomon, Deerfield