State Sen. Mattie Hunter, a constant champion for good health in the General Assembly, helped Illinois take strides toward improved public health when she passed out of the Senate four initiatives promoting awareness and education of important health issues such as asthma, breast cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“These are all important health issues we must pay attention to and get serious about combating with increased understanding," Hunter said. "Education and greater awareness of these problems to better and save lives is our goal.”

State Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is chief co-sponsor of a measure that will mandate all sexual education courses offered in Grades 6-12 in Illinois teach abstinence and contraception as viable pregnancy and venereal disease prevention methods.

“It’s never too early or inappropriate to teach good health and prevention,” Hunter said in response to her backing the highly scrutinized legislation. “You’re never too young to be empowered to take care of your well-being.”

State Sen. Mattie Hunter saw another major victory for public health when her proposal creating the Diabetes Awareness Special License Plate passed the Illinois Senate.

“Every year, about 3.2 million deaths are attributed to diabetes complications,” Hunter said. “Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in the nation, and we must get serious about making sure citizens are educated and aware regarding this chronic disease that continues plaguing our communities.” 

True to her belief that quality medical care is what everyone deserves, Sen. Mattie Hunter supported a measure that won the approval of the Senate extending health care assistance opportunities to the imprisoned.

"Whether in jail or not, you are a person and your health is valuable and a priority," Hunter said. "That is what I'm trying to achieve with this legislation. Being in a penitentiary in no way equates to an individual being undeserving of quality medical attention."

Hunter is sponsoring House Bill 1046 regarding medical aid eligibility for incarcerated individuals not already enrolled for health care assistance. The measure allows prisoners to apply for such service prior to their scheduled release date. The legislation gives those currently imprisoned the opportunity to apply for medical assistance any time while serving their sentence instead of being made to wait until 30 days before they are released.