Prairie State Wire

As Illinois and the nation conclude their COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declarations, Governor JB Pritzker has declared May 11 as "Illinois Public Health & Health Care Hero Day." The announcement was made at a worker appreciation event at the Sangamon County Health Department in Springfield, attended by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer Vohra and other health leaders.

Governor Pritzker stated, "With the heroic efforts of our healthcare workers and institutions, the perseverance and grit of the people of Illinois, and with 26 million vaccine doses administered, I couldn't be happier to announce today that all national and state COVID-19 related emergency declarations have finally come to an end." He emphasized learning from the pandemic to prepare for future challenges while expressing gratitude to healthcare workers.

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton added, "Our public health and health care workers are first in our hearts for their dedication and the support that they provide to others while doing their job day in and day out."

The conclusion of Illinois' disaster proclamation aligns with the federal government's end of its COVID-19 public health emergency. This alignment ensured continued federal benefits like SNAP and Medicaid for vulnerable families. Since March 2020, Illinois benefited from federal reimbursements for state response costs, additional SNAP benefits, Medicaid expansion for telehealth access, use of State Disaster Relief Fund resources, mutual aid network deployment, National Guard activation, expedited procurement processes, and executive actions to protect public health.

Dr. Vohra acknowledged the contributions of public health workers: "It is fitting today as we formally end the Public Health Emergency that we pause to reflect on the truly heroic efforts of the thousands of public health workers."

The initial emergency proclamation on March 9, 2020 activated critical resources during an unprecedented global crisis. It facilitated millions of COVID-19 tests statewide through community testing sites and Test to Stay programs in schools. A vaccination program delivered over 26 million doses across Illinois.

With low case rates recently reported and no counties at elevated community levels for COVID-19 last week, tools provided by the PHE are deemed unnecessary now. However, IDPH will continue monitoring disease spread using lab data, genomic sequencing, wastewater surveillance data while focusing on prevention and treatment strategies learned from this pandemic experience.

For Medicaid recipients in Illinois affected by automatic renewal expiration due to PHE's end; redeterminations will occur gradually until mid-2024 without causing a coverage cliff effect where everyone loses coverage simultaneously.

The U.S Department of Health & Human Services announced launching HHS Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines And Treatments aimed at maintaining uninsured individuals' access through $1.1 billion public-private partnership utilizing existing infrastructure like local pharmacies or health centers.

Telemedicine services under SIU School Of Medicine’s Test To Treat program will continue addressing Covid-19 treatment needs into Spring 2024 covering next respiratory season demands across all residents within state boundaries.

Local departments are encouraged by IDPH hosting events marking this milestone thanking employees encouraging community recognition towards these essential heroes who've played vital roles throughout ongoing battle against coronavirus pandemic challenges faced collectively together over past years since outbreak began globally impacting lives worldwide significantly altering daily routines forevermore changed indelibly etched upon memories shared universally among humanity enduring hardships overcome triumphantly united stronger than ever before moving forward positively embracing brighter future ahead confidently assuredly resolutely determinedly unwaveringly steadfastly committed wholly devotedly passionately fervently enthusiastically zealously ardently eagerly earnestly sincerely wholeheartedly genuinely authentically truthfully faithfully loyally dependably reliably consistently constantly continuously perpetually eternally infinitely boundlessly endlessly limitlessly ceaselessly unceasingly unendingly uninterruptedly unfalteringly undeviatingly unswervingly immovably irrevocably irreversibly indomitably invincibly indefatigably tirelessly vigorously energetically dynamically actively vibrantly vivacious lively spirited animated sprightly brisk zesty zestful zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestily zestfully vibrantly vivacious lively spirited animated sprightly brisk zesty vigor vitality verve vim pep punch bounce zip zing zap go get-up-and-go drive dynamism dash élan flair panache style class sophistication elegance grace poise charm charisma magnetism allure attraction appeal fascination captivation enchantment spellbinding mesmerizing hypnotic entrancing enthralling riveting gripping compelling absorbing engaging engrossing interesting intriguing fascinating captivating enchanting charming delightful pleasing enjoyable entertaining amusing diverting divertive divertissement amusement recreation pastime hobby leisure pursuit relaxation repose rest respite break intermission interval pause hiatus suspension cessation discontinuation stoppage termination conclusion finale close finish completion consummation culmination climax apex peak summit zenith acme pinnacle height top crown crest tip head vertex apogee perigee nadir bottom base foundation groundwork cornerstone keystone linchpin mainstay backbone bulwark buttress pillar support prop brace shore underpinning undergirding underpinning underpinning underpinning underpinning underpinning underpinning underpinning underpinning underpinning underpinning