AARON WINTERS
Executive Director
Healthcare Council
847-334-6411
|
|
|
April 6, 2018
Good morning Healthcare Council. I hope you are rested from the General Assembly's spring break and ready for what promises to be some busy weeks in Springfield. April 13 is the committee deadline for substantive legislation, and April 27 is the third reading deadline for both chambers.
State Plan Amendment Filed for Hospital Assessment
Last Friday the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services filed their Medicaid state plan amendment regarding the recently passed hospital assessment with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. There is a 90-day review clock (that has essentially unlimited stoppage time) but as a reminder approval is necessary before the summer in order for the assessment to take effect. We'll continue to monitor the situation.
Bills on Second Reading
As a reminder, there are a couple of problematic bills hanging out on second reading in the House. Here are just a few:
HB68 (Lang) would create a private right of action for patients, providers and other advocacy organizations to sue health plans for mental health parity, in addition to other problematic reporting requirements. This would dramatically increase healthcare costs on employers.
HB2617 (Gabel) is an insurance mandate to cover standard fertility preservation services when a necessary medical treatment may directly or indirectly cause iatrogenic infertility.
HB4516 (Fine) is a hearing aid insurance mandate for individuals under 18. An amendment may be forthcoming, but likely will not remove Chamber opposition from the bill.
HB4900 (Guzzardi) is the generic drug price "gouging" prohibition that the Chamber testified against in Committee.
HB5464 (Feigenholtz) provides unlimited benefits for mental health treatments and significantly limits reviews for medical necessity, prior authorization and utilization review. We expect more meetings to take place on this bill during session. The Chicago Tribune published a piece yesterday on the current back-and-forth on the issue.
Healthcare-related Bills in Committees Next Week
It's a very busy week next week. As always, please let me know if you are taking a position on any legislation in Springfield.
House Insurance: Health & Life Committee
Date: April 9, 1 pm
Location:
Room C-1 Stratton Building
Healthcare Bills Posted:
HB4116 - Welch - Requires a health care facility or health care practitioner to provide a patient's records without charge if the records are being requested by the patient for use in supporting an application, claim, or appeal relating to a government benefit or program.
HB4146 and HCA1- Fine - Prohibits changes to a health plan drug formulary during a plan year. Chamber is opposed as it inhibits the utilization of more cost effective drug options.
HB4577 and HCA1- Hoffman - Insurance mandate to cover Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Chamber is opposed. The amendment is the Department of Insurance's "kill switch" language to address a potential situation where the state would be forced to cover the premium costs of the mandate for exchange plans under the Affordable Care Act.
HB4656 - Manley - Insurance mandate to cover hearing aids for individuals 65 and older. Chamber is opposed.
HB4820 - Fine - Amends the Accident and Health Insurance Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that remittance advice for recoupment may not reject a Current Procedural Terminology code without clear explanation of the reasons. Requires remittance advice to provide for payment for all services provided, including when more than one procedure is performed in one day. Requires that a recoupment or offset be requested or withheld from future payments within 60 days (rather than 18 months) of the original payment, unless one of the specific exceptions applies. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Allows the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to recover money improperly or erroneously paid, or overpayments, within 60 days of any payment.
HB4821 - Fine - Provides that no individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, issued, delivered, or renewed in the State that covers the treatment of stage 4 advanced, metastatic cancer shall limit or exclude coverage for a drug by mandating that the insured shall first be required to fail to successfully respond to a different drug or prove a history of failure of the drug unless the use of the drug is consistent with best practices for the treatment of stage 4 advanced, metastatic cancer and is supported by peer-reviewed medical literature.
HB4844 - Conroy - Provides that, for purposes of treatment in the early stages of a mental health condition, a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed shall provide coverage for the treatment of serious mental illnesses and serious emotional disturbances. Provides that coverage shall include, but not be limited to, certain evidence-based and evidence-informed bundled treatment approaches. Provides that payment for the services performed under the treatment models shall be based on all the components of the treatment model combined, rather than for each separate service. Provides that disability or functional impairment shall not be a precondition to receive treatment under the provisions.
HB4886 - Fine - Creates the Access to Basic Mental Health Information Act. Provides definitions for "mental health facility", "physician", and "recipient". Provides that specified individuals are entitled, upon request, to obtain certain information regarding a recipient in a mental health facility if the individual declares that he or she is involved in the recipient's care or paying for the recipient's care and the individual meets specified requirements.
HB4933 - Welter - Creates the Health Care Cost Estimate Act and amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that prior to an admission, procedure, or service and upon request by a patient or prospective patient, a health care provider shall, within 2 working days, disclose the allowed amount or charge of the admission, procedure, or service. Provides that if the health care provider is unable to quote a specific amount in advance, the health care provider shall disclose the estimated maximum allowed amount or charge for the proposed admission, procedure, or service. Requires every company that issues, delivers, amends, or renews any individual or group policy of accident and health insurance to establish a toll-free telephone number and Internet website that enables consumers to request and obtain from the company, in real time, the estimated or maximum allowed amount or charge for a proposed admission, procedure, or service and the estimated amount the insured will be responsible to pay for a proposed admission, procedure, or service that is a covered benefit, based on the information available to the company at the time the request is made.
HB5251 and HCA1 - Fine - Merges the Health Maintenance Organization Guaranty Association Article of the Health Maintenance Organization Act into the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Law. Makes conforming changes. Provides that the rights, powers, privileges, assets, property, duties, debts, obligations, and liabilities of each association prior to merger shall remain with the members of the respective association. Provides the rights, powers, privileges, assets, property, debts, obligations, and liabilities of each association after the merger. Chamber supports.
HB5345 - Lilly - Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, each hospital shall provide health insurance to allof its workforce.
HB5351 - Bellock - Initiative of Presence Health. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning coverage for telehealth services, if an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance provides coverage for telehealth services, it must provide coverage for licensed dietitians, nutritionists, and diabetes educators who counsel senior diabetes patients in the patients' homes to remove the hurdle of transportation for patients to receive treatment. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may authorize licensed dietitians, nutritionists, and diabetes educators to counsel senior diabetes patients in the patients' homes to remove the hurdle of transportation for patients to receive treatment.
HB5473 - Moeller - Initiative of AARP. Requires health plans to include telehealth information in provider directories. It is unlikely this bill will be called next week.
HB5769 - Conroy - Requires DoI and HFS to jointly develop a uniform prior authorization form to be used by prescribing providers for prescription drugs.
Location: Room 115 Capitol Building
Healthcare Bills Posted:
HB4275 - Andrade - Increases the monetary cap on physical fitness service memberships to $6,500 a year (currently $2,500).
HB4561 - Chapa LaVia - Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides certain restrictions on an adjuster, insurer, insurance producer, or other representative of an insurer who issues policies of automobile insurance concerning motor vehicle repairs. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that certain acts by a repair shop in connection with a repair of damage to a motor vehicle are unlawful practices within the meaning of the Act.
Date: April 9, 3 pm
Location: Room C-1 Stratton Building
Healthcare Bills Posted:
HB5016 - Williams - Removes the fingerprinting and background check requirements for a prospective qualifying patient or designated caregiver under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.
House Human Services Committee
Date: April 10, 8 am
Location: Room 122B Capitol Building
Healthcare Bills Posted
HB94 - Lang - Requires health care providers to provide an informed consent document to a patient at least 20 hours before a healthcare procedure, except in cases of medical emergency or when it is not reasonably possible to do so. Requires language regarding human tissue specimens.
HB1042 HFA2 - Stuart - Provides that the Architect of the Capitol, in conjunction with the Board of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and the Secretary of State, shall designate at least one mothers' lactation and wellness room in each building located in the State Capitol Building, the Howlett Building, and the Stratton Building. Provides that the design and specifications of the rooms shall comply with the recommendations of the American Institute of Architects.
HB3479 - Feigenholtz - Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In addition to other specified actions required under the Code, requires a managed care community network that contracts with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish, maintain, and provide a fair and reasonable reimbursement rate to pharmacy providers for pharmaceutical services, prescription drugs and drug products, and pharmacy or pharmacist-provided services.
HB4392 - McAuliffe - Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require every provider of mammography services to, if a patient's mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue, provide notification to the patient in any summary of the mammography report sent to the patient pursuant to the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act that shall include, but not be limited to, certain information.
HB4645 - Davis - Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Extends the repeal date of the Act from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2029. Effective immediately.
HB4665 - Gabel - Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Human Services shall implement a direct support professional credential pilot program to assist and attract persons into the field of direct support, advance direct support as a career, and professionalize the developmental disabilities field to promote workforce recruitment and retention efforts, advance skills and competencies, and further ensure the health, safety, and well-being of persons being served.
HB4771 - Spain - Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' Office of the Inspector General to perform the following actions to ensure that applicants submit completed applications for long-term care benefits: (i) provide each applicant with a checklist of information and documents the applicant must submit to complete an application for long-term care benefits; (ii) notify each applicant of the date upon which such information or documents were received by the Department; (iii) update and maintain the Department's computer hardware and software to ensure each applicant receives a timely response to any email sent by the applicant to the Department; and (iv) notify each applicant of the 30-day time period to submit all requested information or documents to the Department.
HB4782 - Burke - Insurance and Medicaid mandate to cover
amino acid-based elemental formulas and coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of milk protein allergies and intolerances when the prescribing physician has issued a written order stating that the amino acid-based elemental formula is medically necessary. Chamber is opposed.
HB4795 - Demmer - Amends the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Substance Use Disorder Act. Removes the terms "addict", "addiction", "alcoholic", "alcoholism", and "substance abuse" and their corresponding definitions. Requires the Department of Human Services to reduce the incidence of substance use disorders (rather than reduce the incidence and consequences of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs). Defines "substance use disorder". Requires the Department to design, coordinate, and fund prevention, early intervention, treatment, and other recovery support services for substance use disorders that are accessible and address the needs of at-risk individuals and their families. Requires the Department to develop a comprehensive plan on the provision of such services; assist other State agencies in developing and establishing substance use disorder services for the agencies' clients; adopt medical and clinical standards on how to determine a substance use disorder diagnosis; and other matters. Contains provisions concerning the licensing of substance use disorder treatment providers; licensure categories and services; the identification of individuals who need substance use disorder treatment using "SBIRT"; patients' rights; services for pregnant women, mothers, and criminal justice clients; and other matters. Repeals a provision of the Act establishing the Committee on Women's Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment. Repeals a provision of the Act setting forth the powers and duties of the Medical Advisory Committee.
HB4831 - Ives -
Amends the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act. Removes provisions requiring the physician, podiatric physician, or dentist that performs surgery at an applicant facility to have surgery privileges with at least one Illinois hospital in order for the facility to receive a license.
HB4892
- Davis - Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that the Health Facilities and Services Review Board may approve the transfer of an existing permit without regard to whether the permit to be transferred has yet been financially committed, except for permits to establish a new facility or category of service. Provides requirements for the reporting of financial commitments by permit holders. Removes existing provisions regarding annual reporting by permit holders. Removes provisions concerning major construction projects. Modifies provisions regarding the application for permits or exemptions, and exemption regulations. Modifies provisions regarding the approval of a permit application. Modifies the powers and duties of the Board and Board staff. Makes changes regarding the revision of criteria, standards, and rules; the giving of written notice of the reduction in hospital service; and issues concerning bed inventory. Makes specified provisions concerning fines for permit holders also apply to exemption holders under the Act.
HB4907 - McAuliffe - Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, shall adopt rules allowing licensed prescribers or pharmacists who have registered to access the Prescription Monitoring Program to authorize a licensed or non-licensed designee (rather than any designee) employed in that licensed prescriber's office or licensed pharmacist's pharmacy and who has received training in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program on their behalf.
HB5000 - Frese - Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In a provision concerning investigative reports issued by the Office of the Inspector General upon completion of an abuse or neglect investigation, provides that the victim and the victim's guardian shall be provided with a redacted copy of the investigative report if the allegations of abuse or neglect are substantiated. Provides that unredacted investigative reports, as well as raw data, may be shared with a local law enforcement entity, a State's Attorney's office, or a county coroner's office upon written request.
HB5069 - Bellock - Repeals the End Stage Renal Disease Facility Act. Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, State Finance Act, and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Services Act to make corresponding changes.
HB5245 - Unes - Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act. Adds various provisions concerning requirements for hospitals and pediatric health care facilities in relation to pediatric sexual assault care. Provides that a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or operated under the University of Illinois Hospital Act (rather than licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act) that provides general medical and surgical hospital services shall provide either transfer services to all sexual assault survivors, medical forensic services to all sexual assault survivors, or transfer services to pediatric sexual assault survivors and medical forensic services to sexual assault survivors 13 years old or older (rather than transfer services or hospital emergency services and forensic services in relation to injuries or trauma resulting from sexual assault).
HB5288 - Andersson -
Amends the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and maintain an online registry for recovery residences that operate in Illinois to serve as a referral resource for individuals seeking continued recovery assistance. Defines "recovery residence" to mean a sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use and associated problems. Encourages non-licensable recovery residences to register with the Department. Provides that the registry shall be publicly available through online posting and shall highlight attributes of the recovery residences and their locations. Provides that registrants are encouraged to seek national accreditation from any entity that has developed uniform national standards for recovery residences. Effective January 1, 2019.
HB5308 - Lilly -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall not require any person committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections who is eligible for medical assistance to pay a fee as a co-payment for services.
HB5537
- Jesiel -
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Removes language requiring the Department of Human Services to adopt a State plan for the distribution of community-integrated living arrangements throughout the State and makes related changes. Effective immediately.
HB5538
- Gabel -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to create a program to select people listed on the Department's Prioritization of the Urgency of Need of Services (PUNS) database to receive housing and community-based support services. Provides that by June 30, 2022, no less than 50% of the persons selected from the PUNS database shall qualify for or receive community-based support services under the State's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (State's Waiver Program); and no less than 50% of the persons selected from the PUNS database shall qualify for or receive both housing and community-based support services funded by the Department. Provides that by June 30, 2022, the Department shall fully eliminate the 8-person community-integrated living arrangements model as a housing option for persons eligible for services under the State's Waiver program and shall instead implement a flexible housing model, as defined by the Department by rule, that utilizes a needs-based sliding scale to determine a person's eligibility and placement for housing. Contains provisions concerning reporting requirements. Provides that implementation of the provisions shall be contingent on the receipt of all necessary federal approvals.
HB5539 - Gabel -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services, by June 30, 2022, to select from the Prioritization of the Urgency of Need of Services (PUNS) database no fewer than 3,600 persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to receive relevant State services and supports. Provides that no fewer than 600 persons shall be selected to receive services by June 30, 2019 and the numbers of persons selected shall increase each year thereafter until the list of persons in the PUNS is exhausted. Requires the Department to pursue all federal funding options for intellectual and developmental services and supports including applying for a demonstration waiver and a State Plan amendment to expand and increase the availability of services to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Requires federal funding obtained under a demonstration waiver to be directed towards increasing the availability of permanent supportive housing and other community-integrated living arrangements. Requires federal funding obtained as a result of federal approval of a Medicaid State Plan amendment to fund a Illinois Children and Adult Home and Community-Based Services Pilot Program to expand and increase community-based services and housing options for adults and children eligible for services under the Department's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver programs. Provides that subject to federal approval, the availability of housing options and support services provided under a demonstration waiver or Medicaid State Plan amendment shall be fully implemented by June 30, 2022. Contains provisions on reporting requirements and other matters.
HB5541
- Sauer - Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Repeals the Family Assistance Law for Children with Mental Disabilities Article of the Act. Effective immediately.
HB5551
- Bellock -
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that for community-integrated living arrangements licensed under the Act, the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall provide the necessary fire inspection to comply with licensing requirements. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal may enter into an agreement with another State agency to conduct this inspection if qualified personnel are employed by that agency. Removes language providing that code enforcement inspection of the facility by the local authority may occur if the local authority having jurisdiction enforces code requirements that are equal to those enforced by the State Fire Marshal. Provides that nothing in provisions concerning fire inspections shall limit a local authority with jurisdiction from conducting local code inspection and enforcement or (rather than shall prohibit a local fire authority) from conducting fire incident planning activities. Effective immediately.
HB5659
- Breen - Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Creates the Interagency Task Force on Medicaid Fraud to: (i) determine best practices for addressing Medicaid fraud under the State's Medical Assistance Program; (ii) improve communication between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Illinois State Police concerning matters involving Medicaid fraud; and (iii) recommend legislation aimed at making investigations of Medicaid fraud by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services more efficient and effective. Contains provisions concerning Task Force meetings; appointed members; reporting requirements; and other matters. Effective immediately.
HB5660 - Durkin -
Amends the Public Assistance Fraud Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Increases the criminal and civil penalties for medical assistance fraud committed by individuals and corporations.
HB5804 - Costello -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions exempting certain providers from the 180-day time period to submit a claim or bill for payment, provides that in the case of services for which the Department of Healthcare and Family Services requires paper submittal or hand-pricing, a new 180-day period shall be initiated once the Department notifies the provider of a denial or rejection. Provides that the exception applies to claims initially submitted on or after July 1, 2015 and prior to December 31, 2018. Requires the Department to notify providers of the new 180-day period and requirements. Provides that the Department may authorize resubmittal or payment for unpaid claims past the 180-day period in the case of a provider whose average payment cycle from the start of the 180-day period to payment by the State Comptroller is greater than 30 days and the provider made a good faith effort to make timely payment and did not receive notice of a billing error, denial, or rejection by the Department.
HR759 - Evans - Cancer Screening Week
HR792 - Harper - Rare Disease Day
Location: Room C-1 Stratton Building - Springfield, IL
Healthcare Bills Posted
HB4911 - Thapedi - Amends the Health Care Services Lien Act. Adds to the definition of "health care provider" ambulatory surgical treatment facilities accredited by one of the following organizations: the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities; the Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations); the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program; or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Provides that the amendatory changes apply to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date.
Date: April 10, 8 am
Location: Room C-1 Stratton Building
HB5776 - Yingling - Amends the Health Care Services Lien Act. Provides that "health care benefit plan" means an insurance plan provided by any public or private medical insurance provider. Adds procedures requiring a health care professional or health care provider to submit all charges to the patient's health care benefit plan prior to filing the notice of the lien. Provides that the patient's health care benefit plan shall not deny payment on the basis that a third party or other insurance carrier is responsible for the patient's injuries. Provides that the amount of the lien shall be limited to the amount the health care professional or the health care provider would have received if the charges were covered by the patient's health care benefit plan. Adds provisions concerning health care benefit plan subrogation claims. Provides that a health care professional or a health care provider that recovers under a judgment, verdict, or settlement is responsible for the pro rata share of the legal and administrative expenses incurred in obtaining the judgment, verdict, or settlement. Makes other changes.
Location: 212 Capitol - Springfield, IL
Subject Matter On: Testimony from DHS Advocates On FY 19 Budget Request, Department of Human Services- SB3323, SB 3323
House Health Care Licenses Committee
Date: April 10, 10 am
Location: Room D-1 Stratton Building
Healthcare Bills Posted
HB274 - Mussman - Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that "practice of pharmacy" includes the prescribing and dispensing of hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives. Defines "hormonal contraceptive patch" as a transdermal patch applied to the skin of a patient, by the patient or by a practitioner, that releases a drug composed of a combination of hormones that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy and "self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive" as a drug composed of a combination of hormones that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy and that the patient to whom the drug is prescribed may take orally. Allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense contraceptives to a person over 18 years of age and a person under 18 years of age only if the person has evidence of a previous prescription from a primary care or a women's health care practitioner. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules to establish standard procedures for pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives. Provides requirements for the rules to be adopted by the Department. Provides that all State and federal laws governing insurance coverage of contraceptive drugs and products shall apply to the provisions.
HB4100 - Kifowit - Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Defines "retail health care facility". Creates provisions concerning workplace violence against nurses in specified medical facilities concerning notice, contacting law enforcement, and mental health services. Requires specified medical facilities to create a workplace violence prevention program with specified requirements. Provides whistleblower protections for any nurse of a specified medical facility if management retaliates against the nurse for certain actions. Provides appropriate cross references in the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, the University of Illinois Hospital Act, the MC/DD Act, the ID/DD Community Care Act, and the Hospital Licensing Act.
HB4504 - Skillicorn - Amends the Swimming Facility Act and Swimming Pool Safety Act. Provides that "swimming pool" does not include therapeutic pools used in physical therapy programs operated by medical facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health or operated by physical therapists licensed under the Illinois Physical Therapy Ac
HB4515 - Swanson - Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Exempts physicians from disciplinary action by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation based solely upon the licensee's recommendation or provision of a treatment method for Lyme disease or other tick-borne disease if specified criteria are met.
HB4643 - Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Provides that the limitation on determining a differential diagnosis shall not in any manner limit a physical therapist from establishing a relevant diagnosis. In the definition of "documented current and relevant diagnosis" and in provisions concerning disciplinary actions, removes language requiring a diagnosis to be substantiated by a physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or podiatric physician. Effective immediately.
HB4650 - Zalewski - Amends the Illinois Controlled Substance Act. In a provision allowing pharmacists to authorize a designee to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program on their behalf, defines "pharmacist" to include, but be not limited to, a pharmacist associated with a health maintenance organization or a Medicaid managed care entity providing services under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective immediately.
HB4688 HFA2 - Burke -
Restores language providing that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall furnish a transcript of proceeding record to any person interested in a formal hearing upon payment of a fee. Restores language in provisions concerning grounds for disciplinary actions that requires material misstatements in furnishing information to be intentional.
HB4936 - Demmer -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that notwithstanding any State licensing law to the contrary, the Department of Human Services shall adopt rules, which shall be implemented within 6 months after the effective date of the bill, that would allow a person who has completed a psychiatric training program certification from any branch of the United States Armed Forces with at least one year of experience in a mental health setting to be recognized as a mental health professional for purposes of programs authorized or funded by the Department under the standards of practice and under the direction of a licensed mental health professional as authorized by the Department. Defines "licensed mental health professional".
HB5212 - Demmer - Amends the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act and the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue an occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist, or physical therapist assistant license to an applicant who is licensed under another jurisdiction upon filing an application, paying the required fee, and meeting requirements established by rule (rather than if the requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction were, at the date of licensure, substantially equivalent to the requirements in force in this State on that date or equivalent to the requirements of this Act).
HB5482 - Guzzardi - Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall allow an applicant to provide his or her individual taxpayer identification number as an alternative to provide a social security number when applying for a license. Provides that no applicant shall be denied a license solely based on his or her immigration status or citizenship status.
HB5496 - Phillips -
Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may not refuse to renew, or take disciplinary action concerning, the license of any physician who continues prescribing previously prescribed medications to existing patients for 90 days after the expiration of his or her license if the physician's license is not timely renewed because of a clerical issue in the physician's renewal application. Effective immediately.
Senate Public Health
Date: April 10, 1:30 pm
Location: 400 Capitol
Healthcare Bills Posted
SB2232 - Koehler -
Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that harm or potential harm to the residents of a long term care facility constitutes a disaster under the Act. Provides that the Governor's comprehensive plan and program for emergency management of the State and emergency operations plans shall include provisions concerning identifying necessary resources to allow a resident of a long term care facility to remain in his or her long term care facility, prioritizing restoration of power or securing alternative power sources, and identifying alternative facilities and emergency transportation for the evacuation of a long term care facility. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency shall establish a protocol for canvassing long term care facilities in a disaster area to determine what resources are needed to permit the residents to remain in place, the need for evacuation assistance, or the status of power at long term care facilities. Makes additional changes to provisions concerning the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, emergency powers of the Governor, mobile support teams, and private liability. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission, in collaboration with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, shall establish by rule a priority order for the restoration of power or securing alternative power sources and shall place long term care facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act in the top tier of priority with other residential health care facilities. Effective immediately.
SB2334 - Murphy - Mandates metal detectors at all non-ambulance hospital entrances. Chamber is opposed.
SB2827 - Murphy -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that drugs prescribed to residents of the following facilities are not subject to prior approval as a result of the 4-prescription limit: long-term care facilities as defined in the Nursing Home Care Act; community-integrated living arrangements as defined in the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act; and supportive living facilities as defined in the Code.
SB2996 - Collins - Lead poisoning shell with SA1 filed.
SB3062 - Murphy - SA1 Requires IDPH to create a bone marrow registry.
SB3290 - Koehler -
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Changes the heading of Article V-F to the Nursing Home Residents' Managed Care Rights Law (rather than the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) Nursing Home Residents' Managed Care Rights Law). Expands the scope of the Article to apply to policies and contracts for the nursing home component of any Medicaid managed care program established by statute, rule, or contract, including, but not limited to, the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative Program, the Integrated Care Program, the HealthChoices Program, the Managed Long-Term Services and Support Program, and any and all successor programs. Grants the Department of Healthcare and Family Services rulemaking authority to implement this provision. Makes changes to the definitions for "enrollee", "managed care organization", and "transition period". Effective immediately.
Senate Human Services
Date: April 10, 3pm
Location: 409 Capitol
Healthcare Bills Posted:
SB1628 - Martinez - Community Care Program Medicaid Initiative.
SB2189 - Connelly - Creates a Medicaid Smart Card Pilot Program.
SB2424 - Steans - Creates the Diversion from Institutional Homes Program.
SB2429
- Aquino - Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide dental services to an adult who is otherwise eligible for assistance under the medical assistance program.
SB2662 SA1 - Murphy - creates the Task Force on State Contracting with Private Nonprofit Human Service Providers
SB2834 - Syverson -
Amends the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Substance Use Disorder Act. Removes the terms "addict", "addiction", "alcoholic", "alcoholism", and "substance abuse" and their corresponding definitions. Requires the Department of Human Services to reduce the incidence of substance use disorders (rather than reduce the incidence and consequences of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs). Defines "substance use disorder". Requires the Department to design, coordinate, and fund prevention, early intervention, treatment, and other recovery support services for substance use disorders that are accessible and address the needs of at-risk individuals and their families. Requires the Department to develop a comprehensive plan on the provision of such services; assist other State agencies in developing and establishing substance use disorder services for the agencies' clients; adopt medical and clinical standards on how to determine a substance use disorder diagnosis; and other matters. Contains provisions concerning the licensing of substance use disorder treatment providers; licensure categories and services; the identification of individuals who need substance use disorder treatment using "SBIRT"; patients' rights; services for pregnant women, mothers, and criminal justice clients; and other matters. Repeals a provision of the Act establishing the Committee on Women's Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment. Repeals a provision of the Act setting forth the powers and duties of the Medical Advisory Committee. Makes conforming changes concerning the Substance Use Disorder Act to several Acts including the Department of Human Services Act, the Children and Family Services Act, and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Effective January 1, 2019.
SB2865 - Steans -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall progressively increase rates and reimbursements so that by July 1, 2018 direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $5.25 per hour above the highest of the federal, State, county, or municipal minimum wages, and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage, and by July 1, 2020 direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $6.75 per hour above the highest of the federal, State, county, or municipal minimum wages. Effective immediately.
SB2951 - Bush -
Creates the Early Mental Health and Addictions Treatment Act. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and other specified agencies and entities, to develop a pilot program under which a qualifying adolescent or young adult may receive community-based mental health treatment from a youth-focused community support team for early treatment that is specifically tailored to the needs of youth and young adults in the early stages of a serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness. Requires the Department to apply, no later than September 30, 2019, for any necessary federal waiver or State Plan amendment to implement the pilot program. Requires the Department to implement the pilot program no later than December 31, 2019 if federal approval is not necessary. Contains provisions concerning the creation of a community-based treatment model under the pilot program; the development of a pay-for-performance payment model; Department rules to implement the pilot program; and analytics and outcomes report. Requires the Department to develop an Assertive Engagement and Community-Based Clinical Treatment Pilot Program for individuals with opioid and other drug addictions. Contains provisions on in-office, in-home, and in-community services provided under the pilot program; application for a federal waiver or State Plan amendment to implement the pilot program; development of a pay-for-performance payment model; Department rules to implement the pilot program; and analytics and outcomes report. Effective immediately.
SB3023 - Bush -
Creates the Community-Law Enforcement Partnership for Deflection and Addiction Treatment Act. Allows a law enforcement agency to establish a program to facilitate contact between a person and a licensed substance abuse treatment provider for assessment and coordination of treatment. Requires the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, in conjunction with a Police Chief's Association and Department of Human Services to develop the type of data to collect and measure performance of program. Provides for civil liability immunity and eligibility for funding.
SB3048 - Manar -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that whenever the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or a managed care organization under contract with the Department authorizes the purchase of durable medical equipment, the Department or managed care organization may require a medical assistance recipient to purchase used or refurbished durable medical equipment, if used or refurbished medical equipment: (i) is available; (ii) is less expensive, including shipping costs, than new durable medical equipment of the same type; (iii) is able to withstand at least 3 years of use; and (iv) equally meets the needs of the recipient. Effective immediately.
SB3049 - Manar -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to reimburse psychiatrists, federally qualified health centers as defined in the Social Security Act, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, advanced practice registered nurses certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing, and mental health professionals and clinicians authorized by Illinois law to provide mental health services to recipients via telehealth (rather than psychiatrists and federally qualified health centers). Requires the Department to reimburse any Medicaid certified eligible facility or provider organization that acts as the location of the patient at the time a telehealth service is rendered, including substance abuse centers licensed by the Department of Human Services' Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
SB3075 - Hastings -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2018, and quarterly thereafter, the Department of Human Services shall submit to the General Assembly a written report providing, at minimum, for each State-operated mental health center and State-operated developmental center: (1) the number of employees; (2) the number of patient or resident initiated workplace violence incidents which occurred, including the number which were a direct assault on staff and the number which were a violent incident to which staff responded; (3) the number of employees impacted in each incident; and (4) the rate of workplace violence that quarter expressed as total number of employees impacted to total number of employees. Effective immediately.
SB3076 - McCann -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that as the Department of Human Services establishes reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in programs serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Department shall include rates for therapeutic schools and other programs serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Defines "front-line personnel". Effective immediately.
SB3077 - McCann -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that in determining the assets of an individual applying for medical assistance, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall disregard the cash value of a life insurance policy or prepaid funeral and burial contract or the equity value of any other assets which are intended to be used to pay the funeral and burial expenses of the individual. Provides that if the asset disregard requires federal approval, the Department shall submit the necessary application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a waiver or State Plan amendment to implement the asset disregard. Provides that implementation of the asset disregard shall be contingent on federal approval of the waiver or State Plan amendment.
SB3179 - Murphy -
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Adds additional duties for the Inspector General for the Department of Human Services. Defines "substantiated" to mean that there is clear and convincing evidence (rather than a preponderance) to support the allegation of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Defines "nurse-training". Changes the criteria for non-licensed authorized direct care staff. Provides that within one year after the bill's effective date, the Department shall prepare a report that identifies any efficiencies or improvements in Department operations, the oversight of agencies, and the reduction or elimination of duplicative activities. The report shall include a quality assessment of the feasibility of combining the functions of the Division of Developmental Disabilities' Bureau of Quality Management and the Department's Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification. Upon the report's completion, the Department shall post the report on the Department's website and submit it to the General Assembly and Governor. Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that using contemporary data gathered on reports of allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, the Department shall establish a process by which the Department requires responses from agencies that annually report a number of allegations that are 2 or more standard deviations from the mean for all agencies. Provides that if an agency has documented evidence and has determined that the agency cannot adequately staff a community-integrated living arrangement, then the agency may take immediate steps to close the community-integrated living arrangement. Effective immediately.
SB3237 - Harmon -
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In provisions concerning investigative reports and findings issued by the Department of Human Services' Office of the Inspector General concerning abuse allegations involving Department employees and clients, provides that any request for reconsideration or clarification of the Inspector General's findings shall be conducted by an investigator or supervisor who did not participate in the investigation for which reconsideration or clarification is sought. Provides that after a reconsideration has been completed, the agency, victim or guardian, or the subject employee has 30 calendar days from the date the reconsideration or clarification is received to request an appeal of the Office of Inspector General's finding. Provides that within 30 calendar days after submitting the appeal request, the agency, victim or guardian, or the subject employee shall have the right to request an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge. Provides that the determination of the administrative law judge shall be considered a final administrative decision subject to judicial review. Requires the Department to adopt rules governing the practice and procedure in the administrative hearings.
SB3239 - Harmon -
Amends the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that for a specialized mental health rehabilitation facility licensed under the Act by December 1, 2017 or provisionally licensed under the Act by December 1, 2017, a payment shall be made for therapeutic visits that have been indicated by an interdisciplinary team as therapeutically beneficial. Provides that the payment shall be at a rate of 100% of the facility's rate on the effective date of the amendatory Act for the first 5 days. Provides that, thereafter, payment for a therapeutic visit shall be at 75% of the facility's rate on the effective date of the amendatory Act and may not exceed 30 days in a fiscal year and shall not exceed 10 days consecutively. Provides that payment to a facility for a therapeutic visit shall be available to the facility through both fee-for-service and managed care payment arrangements. Effective July 1, 2018.
SB3508 - Steans -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including, but not limited to, intermediate care for the developmentally disabled facilities, medically complex for the developmentally disabled facilities, community-integrated living arrangements, community day services, employment, and other residential and day programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported by State funds or funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Provides that the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements so that by July 1, 2018 direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $13.50 per hour and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage, and by July 1, 2020, direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $15 per hour and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage. Defines "front-line personnel". Effective immediately.
SB3511 - Hunter -
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In a provision concerning the Community Care Program, establishes the following rate increases in the wages paid by vendors to their employees who provide homemaker services: on July 1, 2018, rates shall be increased to $19.89 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2019, rates shall be increased to $21.49 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2020, rates shall be increased to $23.09 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; and on July 1, 2021, rates shall be increased to $24.69 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour. Provides that fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, any paid time off or payments for training, health insurance, travel, or transportation shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases established in this provision. Effective July 1, 2018.
House Special Needs Services Committee
Date: April 11, 8:30 am
Location: Room 115 Capitol Building
Healthcare Bills Posted:
HB4420 - Davis - Amends the Protection of Individuals with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Task Force Act. Changes the date by which the Task Force shall submit its report with findings and recommendations from March 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Changes the date on which the Act is repealed from June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2020. Effective immediately.
HB4558 - McDermed - Amends the Environmental Barriers Act. Provides that a public facility or multi-story housing shall have a detectable warning at the bottom step and top step of each stair run. Exempts stairs in dwelling units, stairs in enclosed stair towers, and stairs set to the side of the path of travel. Defines "detectable warning"
HB4559 - Chapa LaVia - Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may apply to the Department of Human Services for an Accessible Community designation for the municipality if the municipality shows it (1) has an accessibility committee or accessibility taskforce organized and operating; (2) has a website that meets specified accessibility standards for electronic and information technology; (3) provides training to its first responders regarding how to interact with a person with a disability; (4) provides public buildings that are accessible to persons with disabilities; (5) provides accessible public transportation; (6) provides affordable housing accessible to persons with disabilities or establishes regulations for the design, installation, and construction of single family and attached single family homes accessible to persons with disabilities; and (7) has at least one person with a disability on staff. Lists procedures for review of applications and awarding the Accessible Community designation by the Department. Provides that the Accessible Community designation expires 5 years after the date the Department awards the designation. Provides for procedures for reapplying for the Accessible Community designation after denial of an application or expiration of the designation. Amends the Department of Human Services Act making conforming changes.
HB4666 - Davis - Amends the Pedestrians with Disabilities Safety Act. Provides that the Governor is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation on Pedestrians with Disabilities Safety Day which: (i) reminds citizens, park districts, and other special recreation districts of the State (rather than only citizens) of the policies with respect to persons with disabilities and urges all citizens and governmental personnel (rather than only citizens) to ensure that the policies are upheld; and (ii) emphasize the need of all citizens and governmental personnel (rather than only citizens) to be aware of the presence of persons with disabilities in the community and to keep safe and functional for persons with disabilities the streets, sidewalks, highways, walkways, and walking, running, or bicycle paths of this State. Effective immediately.
HB4836 - Ives - Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Provides that in one's "own home" means that an adult with a mental disability lives alone; or that an adult with a mental disability is in full-time residence with his or her parents, legal guardian, or other relatives; or that an adult with a mental disability is in full-time residence in a setting not subject to licensure under the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, the MC/DD Act, or the Child Care Act of 1969 with 5 (rather than 3) or fewer other adults unrelated to the adult with a mental disability who do not provide home-based services to the adult with a mental disability.
HB5347 - Evans - Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Requires the Department of Human Services and the Illinois State Board of Education to jointly develop and implement a State policy under which parents of children with disabilities who previously received early intervention services under the Act may choose the continuation of those services until such children reach the age of 5 or enter, or are eligible under State law to enter, kindergarten. Provides that implementation of the new policy shall be contingent on the Department (i) holding public hearings as provided under the Act and (ii) complying with all applicable federal requirements. Effective January 1, 2019.
HB5463 - Feigenholtz - Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that specific to the individual client assessment tool, each individual living in a community integrated living arrangement shall receive an annual client assessment. Provides that the annual client assessment shall be completed using the Health Risk Screening Tool. Provides that beginning January 1, 2019, each individual shall receive his or her annual client assessment via the web-based Health Risk Screening Tool. Provides that the Health Risk Screening Tool shall replace the current paper-based version of the assessment. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall make changes to the Illinois Administrative Code to correspond with this online version of the Health Risk Screening Tool. Effective immediately.
HB5636 - Meier - Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act. Provides that the designated agency that administers the State plan to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities under the requirements of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act shall submit to the Department of Human Services an annual report to be made available to the public. Provides that the annual report shall include, but is not limited to: (1) how many visits were made by the designated agency to developmental disability facilities in the year preceding the report; (2) which developmental disability facilities were visited in the year preceding the report; and (3) the nature of each visit, such as meeting with residents and staff of the developmental disability facility, distributing written information to the developmental disability facility, or whether the visit was scheduled or unscheduled, Provides that the designated agency shall have access to community-integrated living arrangements for the purposes of meeting with residents and staff, informing them of services available from the agency, distributing written information about the agency and the rights of persons with developmental disabilities, conducting scheduled and unscheduled visits, and performing other activities designed to protect the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.
House Aging Committee
Date: April 11, 8:30 am
Location: Room 122B Capitol Building
Healthcare Bills Posted:
HB5164 - Moeller - Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Department on Aging to establish and implement a Community Care Program Medicaid Initiative to: provide targeted funding to care coordination units to help seniors complete applications for medical assistance benefits under the State's Medical Assistance program; provide a funding pool to help care coordination units make improvements to the application process; establish requirements for State agencies to make enrollment in the Medical Assistance program easier for seniors; and other matters.
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
Date: April 11, 3 pm
Location: C-1 Stratton Building
SUBJECT MATTER: DPH, Vets.
Senate Insurance Committee
Date: April 11, 3:30 pm
Location: Room 400 Capitol Building
Healthcare Bills Posted:
SB2444 - Haine - Amends the Illinois Insurance Code in an Article concerning accident and health insurance. Provides that benefits mandated by the Article do not apply to certain types of insurance policies (rather than specified provisions of the Article do not apply to short-term travel, disability income, long-term care, accident only, or limited or specified disease policies). Chamber supports.
SB2513 - Hastings - Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates an advisory council within the Department of Insurance to review and make recommendations to the Department regarding rules to be adopted by the Department concerning continuing education courses, course materials, curriculum, and credentials of instructors. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the Director of Insurance. Provides criteria for membership, length of terms, term limits, and quorum.
SB2851 - Althoff - Amends the Uniform Health Care Services Benefits Information Card Act. Includes dental service plans under the definition of "health benefit plan". Requires a uniform health care benefit information card or other technology for a dental service plan to include a statement that the dental service plan is fully insured. Effective immediately.
SB3244 - Mulroe - Amends the of the Illinois Insurance Code. Merges the Health Maintenance Organization Guaranty Association Article of the Health Maintenance Organization Act into the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Law. Makes conforming changes. Provides that the rights, powers, privileges, assets, property, duties, debts, obligations, and liabilities of each association prior to merger shall remain with the members of the respective association. Provides the rights, powers, privileges, assets, property, debts, obligations, and liabilities of each association after the merger. Repeals the Health Maintenance Organization Guaranty Association Article of the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Makes other changes. Chamber supports.
SB3491 - Holmes - Amends the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act. Provides that the Act does not apply to an individual or group policy for dental or vision insurance. Provides that a network plan shall not be subject to any fines or penalties for information that the provider submits that is inaccurate or incomplete. Chamber supports.
HB3223 - Link - Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance must provide coverage for medically necessary preventative physical therapy for insureds diagnosed with multiple sclerosis without any treatment limitation or calendar year maximum. Removes requirements that coverage under this provision be subject to the same waiting period, cost sharing limitation, treatment limitation, calendar year maximum, or other limitation as provided for other physical or rehabilitative therapy benefits.
Senate Special Committee on Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care
Date: April 11, 4:30 pm
Location: 400 Capitol
Healthcare Bills Posted:
SB2447 - Murphy -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that no later than January 1, 2019, the Auditor General shall initiate a performance audit of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to determine the Department's compliance with certain requirements concerning Medicaid Managed Care Entities. Provides that the determinations shall include, but not be limited to: (i) whether the Department has developed and applied standardized quality performance measures to Medicaid Managed Care Entities; (ii) whether it has developed and implemented algorithms for automatic assignment of Medicaid enrollees into managed care entities; and (iii) whether the standardized quality performance measures and algorithms developed by the Department use measurable quality metrics, are developed and applied according to the statutory criteria, and are adequately documented. Effective immediately.
House Mental Health Committee
Date: April 12, 11 am
Location: Room C-1 Stratton
Healthcare Bills Posted:
HB68 HFA2 - Lang - Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning metric performance reports published by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services on each managed care organization under contract with the Department, requires the Department to collect and report on certain metrics, including prior authorizations and utilization statistics, by behavioral health providers and non-behavioral health providers. Requires the Department to report data on community mental health centers and alcohol and substance abuse providers. Provides that a managed care organization shall enter into a contract with any willing and qualified alcohol and substance abuse provider or certified community health center so long as the alcohol and substance abuse provider or certified community health center agrees to the managed care organization's rate and adheres to the managed care organization's requirements. Chamber opposes HB68.
HB4441 - Willis -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that counseling services or psychotherapy on an outpatient basis provided to a civilly committed minor 12 years of age or older shall be provided in compliance with the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, or the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act (currently, the counseling services or psychotherapy must be provided in compliance with the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act or the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act). Effective immediately.
HB4918 - Lilly - Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish family resource centers throughout this State to provide counseling and mental health services to families who are indigent based on any behavior or mental health condition as determined by Department rule. Provides that the Department shall employ or contract with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists to provide those services.
HB5109 - Lang -
Creates the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Creates the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program to be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Provides that the Program shall provide loan assistance, subject to appropriation, to eligible mental health and substance use professionals practicing in a community mental health center in an underserved or rural federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. Provides that applicants must enter into a minimum 2-year contract. Provides that the Commission may extend the contract a third or fourth year to individual applicants upon completion of the initial 2-year obligation. Provides that the Commission may extend the contract a third or fourth year to individual applicants upon completion of the initial 2-year obligation. Provides that Program participants who, for any reason, fail to begin or complete the required period of obligated service shall be liable to the Commission for an amount equal to the number of months of obligated service not completed multiplied by $2,500 and interest on the amount at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the United States from the date of breach.
HB5557
- Williams -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that electroconvulsive therapy may not be administered under the emergency treatment provisions of the Code but may be administered under the administration of psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy provisions of the Code upon application to a court. Provides that the same written advisements about the treatment as required under other provisions of the Code of the side effects, risks, and benefits of the treatment, as well as alternatives to the proposed treatment, to the extent the advice is consistent with the recipient's ability to understand the information communicated and shall be given to the recipient as soon as the condition of the recipient permits and promptly to any substitute decision maker, unless already given under those provisions.
HB5558
- Williams -
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that every facility shall also post conspicuously in public areas contact information for the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and the agency designated by the Governor under the Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act to administer a State plan to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.
HR711 - Lang - Declares a Mental Healthcare Emergency in Illinois and urges the consideration of a comprehensive legislative package to address the community mental health and substance disorder workforce and behavioral healthcare access crisis in Illinois by the end of the 100th General Assembly.
HR841 - Conroy - Recognizes February 2018 as "School-Based Health Center Awareness Month" and encourages all Illinoisans to join in this observance.
House Health & Healthcare Disparities Committee
Date: April 12, 11 am
Location:
Room 114 Capitol Building
HB3208 - Conyears-Ervin - Raises the age for whom tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products may be sold to and possessed by from at least 18 years of age to at least 21 years of age.
JCAR Update
DHS proposed amendments to Program Definitions (89 IAC 521; 42 Ill Reg 5687), Services (89 IAC 590; 42 Ill Reg 5705) and Closure of a Rehabilitation Case (89 IAC 595; 42 Ill Reg 5718) updating various aspects of DHS' supported employment services for persons with disabilities.
DHS also proposed amendments to Office of Inspector General Investigations of Alleged Abuse or Neglect in State-Operated Facilities and Community Agencies (89 IAC 50; 42 Ill Reg 5667) requiring the DHS-OIG to forward unfounded investigative reports to the director of the facility or agency where the alleged incident occurred. (Currently, the DHS-OIG keeps these reports confidential.) The facility or agency director who receives such a report is responsible for maintaining its confidentiality under State and federal law.
Finally, DHS proposed amendments to Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (89 IAC 113; 42 Ill Reg 5676) increasing the AABD grant adjustment allowance and rates for sheltered, personal or nursing care by $15 per month to match the 2018 increase in federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
IDPH proposed amendments to the Control of Communicable Diseases Code (77 IAC 690; 42 Ill Reg 5729) providing that food handlers, healthcare workers and day care workers suspected of having an E. coli infection who do not comply with stool testing cannot return to work for 30 days after their diarrhea has ceased. (Workers who comply with testing may return to work after at least 24 hours without diarrhea and 2 consecutive negative tests.)
Campaign politics are shaping the policy debate in Springfield and will have lasting implications on the business community. On April 11th, join us in our first ever Chamber Day - an advocacy effort to let lawmakers know we must be heard in any major policy decision impacting Illinois employers. This new event will combine our local chamber summit and the Chamber's traditional lobby day to better show our strength in numbers.
|
|
