Healthcare

Declares May 2026 as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Awareness Month in honor of those surviving daily with EDS. Encourages scientific research and funding towards finding a cure.

Urges regulators and enforcement agencies to increase inspections and ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers reduce the selling of unlawful, kid-friendly vapes. Urges for strengthened coordination between State agencies, law enforcement, school districts, and public health authorities to reduce youth access to illegal vape products and protect the health of all students.

Declares July 10, 2026 as Vaccine Awareness Day in the State of Illinois to continue educating the public on the importance of vaccination, initiate meaningful dialogue around vaccination, and encourage the uptake of recommended vaccines. Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to inform healthcare providers and Illinois residents that vaccinations are a highly effective and safe public health measure and to increase public awareness about the importance of all Illinois residents receiving immunizations as recommended. Urges IDPH to specify the differences between recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and those issued by professional medical societies and to promote vaccination outreach and education initiatives that emphasize the importance of communication between patients and healthcare providers. Urges IDPH to continue prioritizing immunization initiatives and policies and to invest in immunization infrastructure to ensure broad and open access to immunizations. Urges IDPH to strengthen the State's public health preparedness, encourage the promotion and sharing of evidence-based vaccine recommendations, improve cross-state collaboration, and respond effectively to federal vaccine policies that lack scientific basis. Urges the Governor to explore joining a multi-state public health collaborative.

Declares July 28, 2026 as Hepatitis B Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Urges promotion of hepatitis B vaccination as a highly effective and safe public health measure and supports removal of barriers to vaccination. Encourages development of an effective and actionable state hepatitis B strategic plan, as well as establishment of a hepatitis B working group to develop measurable goals.

Declares October 11, 2025 as Beautiful Minds Pink Saree Day/#MyPinkHealth Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages all residents of Illinois to support initiatives that advance women's wellness, mental health, and youth empowerment.

Amends the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Provides, that to be eligible for assistance under the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission must find that the applicant, among other requirements, at the time of application, is currently working as a behavioral health professional in a community mental health center. Provides that an applicant seeking a renewal award in a subsequent year must be employed by a community mental health center, behavioral health clinic, substance use treatment center, or State-operated psychiatric hospital in an underserved or rural federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area in the State at the time of application and must provide evidence of continuous employment for the 12 months that precede the application for renewal. Defines "behavioral health professional". Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028 shall cover a medically necessary coronary calcium scan and scoring every 36 months for individuals over the age of 40. Defines "coronary calcium scan and scoring". Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows for the issuance of the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois decal. Provides that for the original issuance of the decal, a $25 fee shall be charged, with $10 to the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Fund and $15 to the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that for the renewal of the decal, a $25 fee shall be charged, with $23 to the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Fund and $2 to the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Creates the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Fund. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

Urges the federal government to allocate more funding toward finding a cure for Lyme disease. Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education to begin health education to prevent tick bites for children who represent the highest risk group for tick-borne diseases. Declares the month of May 2026 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.

Amends the Medicaid Technical Assistance Act. Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to collaborate with public and private partners throughout the State to identify, establish, and maintain best practices necessary for health providers to ensure their capacity to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program (rather than ensure their capacity to participate in HealthChoice Illinois or YouthCare). Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to promote equitable delivery systems, remaining committed to the principle that all Medicaid recipients have accessible and equitable physical and mental health care services. Removes provisions concerning the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center's administration of network adequacy reports, and instead requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to administer a network recruitment plan. Provides that by using reports and data provided by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ External Quality Review Organization on network adequacy, provider service deserts, and health care disparities by race and ethnicity, the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center shall propose for Department review and approval an annual plan for recruiting providers to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program and report on outcomes of its recruitment efforts to the Department for continuous improvement. Repeals a provision requiring the Department to maximize federal financial participation for any moneys appropriated to the Department for the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center and to deposit all federal financial participation funds into the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Repeals a provision creating the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides for the dissolution of the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund on July 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practical, after the transfer of all remaining funds into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Effective July 1, 2026.