Lori Cowdrey Benso | Executive Director, Healthcare Council | 217-725-6522
May 17, 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. Floor action was light for both chambers. The deadline was extended to May 21st for all substantive House bills to be moved out of Senate committees and all substantive Senate bills to be moved out of House committees. Both the House and Senate are also scheduled to continue to hold virtual Committee hearings Monday – Friday. 
 
The Senate is scheduled to return on May 17th and the House is scheduled to return on May 18th.
 
Several bills the Healthcare Council has been tracking passed out of the Chamber/other actions including:
 
o  HB 1745 Prescription Drugs – 3rd Reading in Senate
o  HB 1779 Biomarker Testing – 3rd Reading in Senate
o  HB 1955 Holding Company Systems – 2nd Reading in Senate
o  HB 1957 Ins – Various – 2nd Reading in Senate
o  HB 2405 Insurance Guaranty Fund – 3rd reading in Senate
o  SB 499 Health Care/TMJ Disorders – 3rd reading in House
o   SB 1753 Surplus Line – 3rd reading in House 
o  SB 1876 Group Life Insurance – 3rd reading in House 


There are a limited number of committees posted the week of May 17th. Please see the list below.
 
Telehealth: We are closely watching HB 3308 for amendments. 
 
Prior Authorization: HB 711 passed the House and is on 3rd reading in the Senate.
 
PBM Reform: The deadline for SB 2008 was extended to May 21st in the Senate. 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 17th:

05-19-21       House – Human Services 9:00 am
                       Virtual Room 2: www.ilga.gov
           
05-19-21       Senate – Insurance 4:30 pm
                       Virtual Room 1: www.ilga.gov
 
·      HB33 INS CD-SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT     
·      HB135 INS CODE-BIRTH CONTROL          
·      HB2109 REGULATION-TECH           
·      HB2554 TELEHEALTH-RULES-ACUPUNCTURE 
·      HB2589 SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER-OPIOIDS
·      HB2595 INSURANCE-MENTAL HEALTH  
·      HB3308 INS-TELEHEALTH SERVICES     
·      HB3498 TELEHEALTH SERVICES  
·      HB3598 INSURANCE-CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE      
·      HB3709 INS CODE-INFERTILITY COVERAGE
                      
05-20-21      House – Insurance 3:00 pm
                       Virtual Room 1: www.ilga.gov
                        
·      SB147 INS-MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT      
·      SB930 TASK FORCE-DISABILITY INC INS           
·      SB2112 INS CODE-LIFE INSURANCE/NOTICE    
·      SB2411 INS CODE-REINSURANCE CREDITS
           
Federal front: 

FDA gave the green light for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to be used in adolescents 12 – 15 years old.
 
The C.D.C. now says it is safe for fully vaccinated people to take their masks off in most indoor settings.



List of key dates:

May 21 -    House and Senate Bill deadlines
May 28 -      Senate 3rd reading passage deadline
May 31 –      Adjournment
 
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