Durbin Discusses Health Priorities With President Preckwinkle, Cook County Health Leadership

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Health & Hospital System CEO Israel Rocha about their top health priorities in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill, including expanded Medicaid coverage for new moms, hospital infrastructure, and funding for public health. Durbin also received an update on efforts to increase vaccination rates in suburban Cook County. Heeding lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Durbin, Preckwinkle, and Rocha discussed strategies to ensure the County's health system has the resources to adequately serve vulnerable communities and address health disparities.

During the meeting, Durbin, Preckwinkle, and Rocha also discussed key provisions in the American Rescue Plan that are benefitting Cook County, including funding for hospital treatment, health workforce, and the County's essential services.

"The pandemic has taught us that we must focus our efforts on addressing health disparities and ensuring our health care systems have the resources to serve those most in need. My conversation with President Preckwinkle and Cook County Health & Hospital System CEO Rocha today underscored our shared commitment to helping end this pandemic by getting more people vaccinated. I commend them for their leadership in improving public health in our community," said Durbin.

A photo of the meeting is available here.

-30-