AARON WINTERS
Executive Director
Healthcare Council
847-334-6411
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Jan. 25, 2018
Good morning, Healthcare Council. Both the Illinois House and Senate convene for the 2018 legislative session on Tuesday, and Governor Rauner's State of the State address is next Wednesday. We're approaching the finish line on hospital assessment negotiations and could see legislation move as soon as next week. A House hearing has been scheduled for next Tuesday to discuss the assessment. On to the update!
Next Quarterly Meeting On Monday - RSVP Today!
Our first quarterly meeting of the year will take place at 2 pm on Monday, Jan. 29 at HSHS St. John's Children Hospital in Springfield. We'll be joined by Insurance Director Jennifer Hammer, as well as U.S. Health and Human Services Director Doug O'Brien. Director Hammer will discuss the department's market conduct exam process as well as outline her 2018 legislative agenda. RSVP here.
Healthcare Council Quarterly Meeting
2 pm
Monday, January 29
HSHS St. John's Children Hospital
Carol Jo Vecchie Women & Children's Center
Tea Room
415 N 9th Street, Springfield
Committees Scheduled for Next Week
Below is a listing of healthcare-related bills posted for committee next week as of this morning.
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
Date: Jan. 30 - 9 am
Location: Room 114 - Capitol Building
Subject Matter: Hospital Assessment
House Human Services Committee
Date: Jan. 31 - 10 am
Location: Room 122B - Capitol Building
Healthcare Bills:
HB4142 - Batinick - Requires the Department of Public Health to provide all newborns and infants within 12 months of birth with screening tests for the presence of spinal muscular atrophy. Authorizes an additional fee for the screening for start-up and other costs associated with implementation and to support the costs associated with screening and follow-up programs for spinal muscular atrophy.
HB4223 -
Feigenholtz - Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning the Supportive Living Facilities Program, provides that a supportive living facility includes a distinct physical and operational entity within a mixed-use building that meets certain criteria.
HR755 - Gabel - Resolution urging
HFS to delay the implementation of the Health Choice Illinois Medicaid Managed Care Program.
Senate Executive Committee
Date: Jan. 30 - 1:30 pm
Location: 212 - Capitol - - Springfield, IL
Healthcare Bills:
SB336 - SFA1 - Harmon -
Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Through June 30, 2020, includes in the definition of "debilitating medical condition" any other medical condition for which an opioid has been or could be prescribed by a physician based on generally accepted standards of care. Provides that an individual whose initial application is submitted as an alternative to opioid treatment shall have specified provisions relating to fingerprints and background checks waived. Provides that within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Public Health shall adopt emergency rules to expedite approval for individuals who submit an application as an alternative to opioid treatment. Provides that the Department may waive an excluded offense for a cultivation center agent, dispensing organization, qualifying patient, or designated caregiver if the person demonstrates that the violation of State or federal law was the result of opioid addiction or dependence.
SB2275 -
Cunningham - Creates the Marijuana Legalization Referendum Act. Requires the State Board of Elections to cause a statewide advisory public question to be submitted to the voters at the November 6, 2018general election asking whether individuals support the legalization of possession and use of marijuana by persons who are at least 21 years of age, subject to regulation and taxation that is similar to the regulation and taxation of tobacco and alcohol. Provides that if a provision of the Act conflicts with any other law, the Act controls. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2019.
Senate Insurance Committee
Date: Jan. 30 - 5:15 pm
Location: 400 - Capitol
Healthcare Bills:
HB1277 HA2 - Conroy/T. Cullerton - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a treatment that is administered or prescribed for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome after July 18, 2017 shall be covered. Provides that for billing and diagnosis purposes, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome shall be coded as autoimmune encephalitis until a code is assigned. Provides that coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome may not be denied due to a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalopathy or autoimmune encephalitis. Effective immediately.
New Bills Introduced
The following healthcare-related bills were introduced since our last update. As always, if you are taking a position on any piece of legislation, please let me know. Additionally, two problematic bills have been assigned out of the House rules committee this week. HB68, Rep. Lang's mental health parity bill, has been discharged out of rules to the floor (it previously passed out of the Mental Health Committee last year on a partisan roll call). Rep. Harris' health insurance tax bill, HB4166, was assigned to the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee. Similar legislation never advanced out of committee last year.
Hospital Mandates
SB2334 - Murphy -
Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital shall maintain a metal detector at each point of entry into the hospital. Provides that a hospital shall ensure that all members of the public, other than the employees of the hospital who display proper credentials, who enter the hospital at a point of entry are subjected to screening by a metal detector. Provides that individuals subject to screening shall include, but not be limited to, individuals in wheelchairs. Defines "point of entry". Effective July 1, 2018.
HB4331 - Connor -
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that in every case in which an opioid overdose is determined to be a contributing factor in a death, the coroner shall report the death and the age, gender, race, and county of residence, if known, of the decedent to the Department of Public Health. Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires every hospital to report the age, gender, race, and county of residence, if known, of each patient diagnosed as having an opioid overdose to the Department within 48 hours of the diagnosis. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the reporting requirements. Requires the Department to annually report to the General Assembly the data collected.
Insurance Mandates
SB2316 - Murphy - Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for hippotherapy and other forms of therapeutic riding. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, and the Health Maintenance Organization Act.
Licensure/Certification
SB2419 - Althoff - Amends the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act. Provides that a person qualifies for registration as a surgical assistant if he or she is currently certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (rather than the National Surgical Assistant Association). Provides that in order for a registrant to renew his or her surgical assistant registration or surgical technologist registration, he or she must maintain certain current certification. Effective immediately.
Medicaid
HB4289 - Harris -
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that all children with autism spectrum disorder who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance shall receive coverage for any medically necessary evidence-based treatment prescribed by a physician licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed practitioner of the healing arts as defined in the Illinois Administrative Code. Effective July 1, 2018.
Misc.
HB4309 - Wojcicki Jimenez - Creates the Frail Individual Family Visitation Protection Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Kasem/Baksys Visitation Law. Defines "frail individual" and other terms. Provides that if a caregiver unreasonably prevents a family member of a frail individual from visiting the frail individual, the court, upon a verified petition by the family member, may order the caregiver to permit visitation between the frail individual and the family member if the court finds that the visitation is in the frail individual's best interests. Provides that in making its determination, the court shall consider the standards provided in the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that the caregiver shall provide a person awarded reasonable visitation with notice of the frail individual's hospitalization or transfer to a healthcare facility, relocation to another residence, and death.
Healthcare In the News
Chicago Tribune - Audit slams state agency that oversees Medicaid for inadequately monitoring $7.11 billion in payments
WGLT Radio - Lieutenant Governor hears personal stories of opioid addiction
Washington Post - Alex Azar confirmed by Senate as new head of Health and Human Services
Illinois Chamber of Commerce CEO to address City Club Of Chicago - February 13
Todd Maisch, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, will speak to the City Club of Chicago on February 13, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at Maggiano's Banquets in Chicago. As the leader of Illinois' premier business organization, Todd will provide insights on what we can do to ensure Illinois succeeds, policy issues that require resolution, and what makes Illinois the envy of the Midwest.
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