Lori Cowdrey Benso | Executive Director, Healthcare Council | 217-725-6522
May 24, 2021
The purpose of the Healthcare Council is to develop and take actions to achieve affordable, accessible, efficient, high-quality healthcare options for the employers and residents of our state. We advocate for market-based solutions that encourage innovation in healthcare delivery – and work against costly mandates and burdensome regulations. Through quarterly meetings, the Council brings together the diverse voices of the healthcare community and provides a forum to interact with government and private sector leaders at the highest levels.
Good morning!

Illinois front:

Both the House and Senate were in session last week and both the House and Senate cancelled session for last weekend.

Both Chambers are scheduled to return today, May 24th. Both the House and Senate are also scheduled to continue to hold virtual Committee hearings Monday – Friday. 
  
Several bills the Healthcare Council has been tracking passed out/other actions including:
 
  • HB 33 INS CD-SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 135 INS CODE-BIRTH CONTROL – 2nd Reading in Senate
  • HB 711 Prior Authorization –3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 1745 Prescription Drugs – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 1779 Biomarker Testing – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 1955 Holding Company Systems – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 1957 Ins – Various – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 2109 REGULATION-TECH – 2nd Reading in Senate
  • HB 2405 Insurance Guaranty Fund – 3rd reading in Senate
  • HB 2554 TELEHEALTH-RULES-ACUPUNCTURE – postponed Senate Insurance
  • HB 2589 SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER-OPIOIDS – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 2595 INSURANCE-MENTAL HEALTH – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • HB 3598 INSURANCE-CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE – 2nd Reading in Senate
  • HB 3709 INS CODE-INFERTILITY COVERAGE – 3rd Reading in Senate
  • SB 499 Health Care/TMJ Disorders – Passed House
  • SB 1753 Surplus Line – Passed House 
  • SB 1876 Group Life Insurance – Passed House 


There are a limited number of committees posted the week of May 24th. Please see the list below.
 
Telehealth: A subject matter hearing was held in Senate Insurance this week. The Illinois Hospital Association, ILHIC and AHIP were allowed to present testimony. ILHIC and the IHA continue to negotiate regarding this bill.  

Prior Authorization: HB 711 passed the House and is on 3rd reading in the Senate.
 
PBM Reform: SB 2008 was re-referred to Senate Assignments. We will continue to monitor. 
 
Please see the Chamber website for a complete list of the key bills the individual councils are monitoring. Bill Tracking | Illinois Chamber Action (ilchamberaction.org) The bills we are tracking generally fall into the following categories: Health Care Reform, Telehealth, Prescription Drugs/PBMs, Medicaid reform, Behavioral Health, Utilization Management (including Prior Authorization reform), DOI Initiatives and Coverage Mandates.
 
Healthcare Committees Scheduled the Week of May 24th:

         
05-19-21       Senate – Insurance 4:30 pm
                       Virtual Room 1: www.ilga.gov
 
·      HB 3308 INS-TELEHEALTH SERVICES     
·      HB 3498 TELEHEALTH SERVICES  
           
Federal front: 

The Kaiser Family Foundation is reporting that 1 in 4 Medicare Beneficiaries had a telehealth visit between the summer and fall of 2020.

Interesting article from Modern Healthcare regarding lowering the age of Medicare to 60.
 

List of key dates:

May 28 -      Senate 3rd reading passage deadline
May 31 –      Adjournment
 
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