The 21st Show

Breast Cancer Breakthrough; State Budget Healthcare; Illinois Tornado Safety

By Niala Boodhoo, Alan Montecillo, Libby Foster, and Robin Linn
 

Lester Lefkowitz/Getty Images

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On the 21st: The impact of the budget crisis on Illinois health care providers. Plus, we discussed how to recognize tornadoes and what to do in the event of one. But first, we talked with Dr. Kathy Albain and two women with breast cancer about a breakthrough chemotherapy study.

We all know how scary cancer can be. Those of you who are regular listeners know about my breast cancer diagnosis last year. So I can say - from personal experience - I was thrilled to see new groundbreaking research about breast cancer that was presented in Chicago at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.

Some patients who are diagnosed early with breast cancer will be able to avoid having to undergo chemotherapy completely thanks to this new study, just published New England Journal of Medicine. One of the co-authors of the national team, Dr. Kathy Albain, and two women who worked closely with her, spoke with us today about the breakthrough.

Plus- 

Last week, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a $38.5 billion spending plan for the state of Illinois. It’s first time he approved a full yearlong budget since taking office in 2015. Just a reminder - last time around, we had a two-year budget impasse that was only resolved after members of Gov. Rauner’s own party voted to override his budget vetoes.

And for the past three years, the healthcare industry has been feeling the effects of that impasse - and the reduced amount of state resources and funding, especially for addiction treatment providers.

What impact did the budget crisis have on Illinois health care providers and what does it mean to finally have a new state budget? 

Tim Stumm, Editor of Health News Illinois joined us for the first half of this segment, while the CEO of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, Sara Howe, talked with us during the latter half.

And- 

If you were in the central Illinois area on Sunday, then you know that we were hit with major storms - storms that have now been confirmed as tornadoes. The National Weather Service confirmed two weak tornadoes touched down after 2 p.m. that afternoon. No one was injured, but the tornadoes did damage several homes in the area and many more lost power.

We thought it was a good time to all of us throughout the state listening now to get a reminder about different types of tornadoes and what to do when they hit.

Jeff Frame from the U of I’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Lyn Hruska, CEO of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region joined us to talk about Tornado safety.


 

Story source: WILL