South Side Health Transformation Project Seeks Public Comments for State Funding


 

South Side Health Transformation Project Seeks Public 

Comments for State Funding


      After months of community meetings, town halls, and Zoom calls, the South Side Health Transformation Project (SSHTP) was gratified to hear in January that the Hospital and Healthcare Transformation Bill unanimously passed in the Illinois legislature. Governor JB Pritzker signed it into law mid-March, launching an application process to allocate $150 million each year for the next five years to address health inequity by sustainably improving access and outcomes to healthcare for underserved communities.

      The South Side Health Transformation Project submitted its application April 9th seeking $30 million of that allocation. The decision is expected in June. “Having the bill become law was a critical first step,” said Rashard Johnson, president, Advocate Trinity Hospital.  “Now we need our supporters and the general public to share their endorsement of our plans and encourage the state to grant funds to our community-driven model which will totally transform healthcare for residents on the South Side of Chicago.”
      Nearly 1,000 South Side residents have provided input and been highly engaged on what is needed for a healthy community. The SSHTP transformation priorities are focused on using the resources already available in the community more effectively and in a much more coordinated and collaborative way while also adding physicians, community healthcare workers and connectivity to address the needs and issues that matter most on the South Side. “One of the things I often tell people about our community is there should be nothing about us, without us,” said Pastor Chris Harris, Senior Pastor, Bright Star Church, and CEO/Founder of Bright Star Community Outreach.
       Inequities in the healthcare system existed long before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has truly laid bare the stark realities and higher morbidities in Black and Brown communities, which are profound, systemic, and growing. Communities of color have long needed a process to drive better access, prevention, health literacy and, ultimately, a healthier South Side. The enormous disparity in health outcomes depends upon where you live in Chicago. Residents in Streeterville have a life expectancy of 90 years -- 30 years longer than residents in Englewood — due in large part to chronic health issues.
       There has been tremendous collaboration among Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), hospitals throughout the South Side, and the community to put forth a strong application for state funding that would support real progress towards a healthier community.
      The South Side Healthy Community Model focuses on four main pillars: 1) increasing primary care providers in the community, especially those of color, 2) increasing specialty care access by adding new specialists, 3) improving care coordination by building community partnerships and adding up to 250 community health workers, and 4) implementing a robust technology platform to connects all the dots. “It’s time for our voices to be heard,” expressed Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III, Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.

          The public comment window is open now and will close on April 30. To lend your voice and help the SSHTP bring transformative healthcare to the South Side, log onto: public comment. For more on the SSHTP, please visit www.southsidehealthtransformation.com

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