Expresses opposition to the Trump healthcare cuts, which fundamentally undermine the basic dignity and financial security of working families across the country. Calls upon the United States Senate to immediately table the Trump healthcare cuts bill and instead pursue reforms such as the Illinois' Healthcare Protection Act to make healthcare more accessible and more affordable.
Amends the Telehealth Act. Adds acupuncturist to providers included in the meaning of "health care professional". Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that the standard of care for a patient under the Act shall be the same whether a patient is seen in person, through telemedicine, or through another method of electronically-enabled health care. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, by rule, to determine the appropriate acupuncture services allowed via telemedicine in consultation with the Board of Acupuncture. Provides that a person who engages in the practice of telemedicine without a license issued under the Act shall be subject to the penalties provided in the Act. Provides that, if the Department has reason to believe that a person has violated the provisions regarding telemedicine, the Department may issue a rule to show cause stating the reasons why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against the person. Provides that the rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide the person with a period of 7 days after the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Provides that failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately. Provides that a person residing out-of-state that provides services through telemedicine to a patient residing in the State submits himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the Department and the courts of the State.
Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that certain provisions related to probationary separation, term appointments, and veterans hospital visits are subject to Jurisdiction B. Changes references to veterans hospital visits to references to veterans medical appointments. Provides that an employee who is also a veteran shall be permitted 4 days per year to receive medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather than permitted 4 days per year to visit a veterans hospital or clinic), for examination or treatment (rather than for examination) of a military service-connected condition (rather than service-connected disability).
Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Requires that a hospital's obligation to patients under the Act shall cover all health care services, including, but not limited to, on-site health care services provided by a non-hospital entity. Provides that, in the event the hospital outsources health care services to an individual or entity that is separate from the hospital within the hospital facility or otherwise on the hospital site, the hospital's obligations under the Act continue as though the hospital had provided the health care services. Requires a hospital to ensure that the individual or entity contracted to provide health care services agrees in writing to operate under the hospital's financial assistance policy, screening obligations, collections provisions, and all other provisions of the Act, and requires a hospital to ensure that a hospital agent or on-site provider of outsourced health care services complies with the Act. Amends the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act to establish similar requirements for hospitals. Provides that a hospital shall include charges from the third-party individual or entity when calculating the charge, discount, or collectible amount applicable under the Act.
Creates the Nonopioid Alternatives for Pain Act. Allows the Department of Public Health to develop and publish on its website a nonopioid alternatives pamphlet, with certain requirements. Prohibits a health insurance issuer to deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that coverage shall not be denied for a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug. Requires that nonopioid drugs preferred on a specific list for the treatment or management of pain shall not be disadvantaged or discouraged with respect to coverage relative to any opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain. Effective July 1, 2027.
Amends the Reproductive Health Act. Provides that a health care professional who provides abortion-related care may submit to any governmental agency, person, business, or association a written request that the governmental agency, person, business, or association refrain from disclosing any personal information about the health care professional. Provides that if a governmental agency receives a written request from a health care professional, the governmental agency shall not publicly post or display publicly available content that includes any personal information of the health care professional. Exempts the personal information of the health care professional from the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that if a person, business, or association receives a written request from a health care professional, the person, business, or association shall refrain from publicly posting or displaying on the Internet publicly available content that includes the personal information of a health care professional. Provides that no person, business, or association shall solicit, sell, or trade any personal information of the health care professional with the intent to post an imminent or serious threat to the health and safety of the health care professional or the health care professional's immediate family. Allows a health care professional to bring an action against a governmental agency, person, business, or association, seeking injunctive or declaratory relief if a written request is violated. Provides that it is a Class 3 felony for any person to knowingly and publicly post on the Internet the personal information of a health care professional or the health care professional's immediate family if the person knows that publicly posting the personal information poses an imminent and serious threat to the health and safety of the health care professional or health care professional's immediate family, and the violation is a proximate cause of bodily injury or death of the health care professional or health care professional's immediate family member. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act.
Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Creates the Emergency Medical Service Response Task Force to investigate and provide legislative and policy recommendations regarding slow and dangerous response times for ambulance and EMS services in parts of the State, in particular services in rural communities. Provides that the Emergency Medical Service Response Task Force shall address, study, and provide recommendations on any aspect of the response time crisis deemed appropriate by the Task Force, including the sustainability of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems in rural communities throughout the State; any regulatory or administrative burdens or staffing restrictions placed on providers that contribute to staffing issues or slow response times; revenue shortfalls that challenge the sustainability and survival of ambulance or emergency medical services; and the report, findings, and any recommendations of the EMT Training, Recruitment, and Retention Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning the appointment of members. Requires members to convene at the call of the co-chairs for at least 6 meetings, and provides that members shall serve without compensation. Requires the Task Force to submit its final report containing legislative and policy decisions to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than September 1, 2026, and upon the submission of its final report, the Task Force shall be dissolved.
Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that, if the injured employee subsequently dies, the employer shall continue to pay the entire health insurance premium for the surviving spouse (rather than the surviving spouse until remarried) and for the dependent children under specified conditions.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, in accordance with federal guidance issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall exempt from electronic visit verification requirements all live-in caregivers who provide Medicaid-funded personal care services or home health care services under the Illinois Title XIX State Plan or a waiver of the plan, including personal care services and home health care services provided under various home and community-based services waiver programs authorized under the Social Security Act. Defines "live-in caregiver". Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.
Condemns President Donald Trump's cruel and lawless efforts to block lifesaving services that help people access healthcare, put food on the table, afford housing, and more. Urges the United States Congress to take clear and unequivocal action to check the undemocratic actions of the Trump Administration that violate the constitutional separation of power. Renews the commitment to helping Illinois families get ahead by supporting the services they need to be their best, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and reining in the cost of living.
