Public legislators, school health advocates, medical practitioners, and faculty attended legislative open houses at Heartland’s school health centers this March. Heartland Health Centers at Senn and Roosevelt High School are two of 49 school health centers across Illinois, which deliver comprehensive health care to the student body.
The group reviewed their efforts to reinstate $3 million of school health center funding into the state budget, envisioning of a future in which all children have access to health care.
Patients walked through for check-ups and counseling during the speeches. The occasional whirr of a routine dental cleaning echoed through the discussion.
Newly elected Senator Heather Steans said she is working hard to get the $3 million added to the budget.
US Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a long-time advocate of universal health care, said that although Heartland presents a powerful model, it needs to be expanded to all schools in Illinois.
Representatives from Alternatives, Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Healthy Albany Park, and the office of Representative Harry Osterman also attended the open houses.
Heartland Health Centers 