Governor Pat Quinn Names Julie Hamos To Lead Healthcare and Family Services Agency

CHICAGO – April 9, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today named State Representative Julie Hamos as Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). As agency director, Hamos will focus on expanding access to healthcare while improving patient safety.

“Julie has served our state with professionalism and integrity for many years and is a longtime champion of improving access to healthcare,” said Governor Quinn. “In this new role, she will continue to be a strong advocate for families in need of better, more efficient and patient-centered healthcare. Julie will also be instrumental in the Illinois implementation of President Obama’s ground-breaking healthcare reform plan.”

Hamos has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since 1999 and represents the 18th District. Previously, she worked as the legislative counsel and policy advisor to then-State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley, before being appointed director of the Child Support Division, which oversees more than 300,000 child support cases each year. Hamos earned a Bachelor’s degree from Washington University and a law degree George Washington University. (Background Information)

“I am honored to serve the people of Illinois as Director of Healthcare and Family Services and thank Governor Quinn for this opportunity,” said Hamos. “I am a longtime advocate for expanding access to healthcare and believe in improving the quality of healthcare for Illinois families and protecting patients.”

In 2003, Hamos worked to enact the Consumer Guide to Health Care Act, which requires hospitals and outpatient surgical treatment centers to disclose data on key measures for 30 medical procedures – part of a national movement to help consumers make comparisons based on quality healthcare data.

In 2005, Hamos sponsored legislation that created the Electronic Health Records Taskforce, and this year she is sponsoring the Illinois Health Information Exchange and Technology Act. That Act will establish a publicprivate Health Information Exchange Authority to work in conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Health Information Technology to enable providers throughout Illinois to securely share patient health information, and it is a step toward the adoption of statewide electronic health records.

“Just a few weeks ago, President Obama signed historic legislation into law that will reform the healthcare system in our country,” said Hamos. “I look forward to working on the frontline to carry out that reform throughout Illinois.”

Hamos succeeds former HFS Director Barry Maram, who is assisting in the leadership transition. Her position is effective April 16, 2010.

HFS provides affordable healthcare coverage for adults and children who qualify. The department also provides free child support enforcement services to help ensure that Illinois children receive financial support from both parents. For more information on HFS, please visit www.hfs.illinois.gov.