It felt nice to be back in session, even if it was a bit unusual. Lawmakers are taking a break next week for Thanksgiving but will be back in Springfield the week after.
Veto Week 1
The first week of Veto Session is done. Not much happened legislatively, but lots occurred behind the scenes as the four caucuses organize for the new General Assembly starting in January. There will be new GOP leaders in both chambers as Representative Tony McCombie and Senator John Curran assume the helms of their respective groups. The Chamber looks forward to working with these new leaders and thanks Leader Durkin and Leader McConchie for their efforts to improve the state’s business climate.
Senate President Harmon and Speaker Welch were easily reelected to another term after making gains both legislatively and on the campaign trail.
Committee Updates
No healthcare related committees were held this week. If there are committees to be held the second week, they will likely be posted middle of next week.
New Bills Filed
As always, your input/thoughts on these bills is much appreciated.
SB 4209 (Landek) – Amends the Drug Take-Back Act (HB 1780) that was signed into law in June. Removes language providing that all potential authorized collection sites that offer to participate in a drug take-back program shall be counted towards meeting the minimum number of authorized collection sites within a drug take-back program. Removes language providing that, if the Environmental Protection Agency receives more than one proposal for a drug take-back program, the Agency shall review all proposals in conjunction with one another to ensure the proposals are coordinated to achieve the authorized collection site coverage. In provisions regarding drug take-back program promotion, provides that if there is more than one drug take-back program operated by more than one manufacturer program operator, the provisions shall be implemented individually by each drug take-back program, except that approved drug take-back programs shall coordinate to provide and maintain a single toll-free number and website publicizing collection options and collection sites (rather than implemented by all drug take-back programs collectively using a single toll-free number and website and similar education, outreach, and promotional materials). Makes other changes. Effective immediately or on the date House Bill 1780 of the 102nd General Assembly takes effect, whichever is later.
SB 4210 (Morrison) - Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Includes programs recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board as a standard nationally accredited education and training program under which a new pharmacy technician may be educated and trained. Effective immediately.
SB 4219 (Fine) - Amends the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, and the Limited Health Service Organization Act to provide that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in the State shall provide coverage for specified contraceptive methods and coverage for abortion care. Effective January 1, 2024.
SB 4220 (Ellman) - Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a change in provisions concerning disclosure of nonparticipating provider limited benefits. Adds reproductive health care to the definition of "ancillary services". Amends the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act. Provides that an insurer providing a network plan shall file a description with the Director of Insurance of written policies and procedures on how the network plan will provide 24-hour, 7-day per week access to reproductive health care. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall consider establishing ratios for reproductive health care physicians or other providers.
SB 4236 (Rose) - Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that beginning January 1, 2023, the Director of Central Management Services shall establish a program of financial incentives to encourage Medicare-primary members to elect not to participate in the group health benefits program for Medicare-primary members and their Medicare-primary dependents. Provides that the program of financial incentives shall include a monthly voucher in the amount that the State would have contributed toward that member's monthly premium if the Medicare-primary member elected to participate in the group health benefits program. Provides that the voucher shall be used by the Medicare-primary member to pay the monthly premium cost of an individual Medicare Advantage plan of his or her choosing.
HB 5835 (Ford) - Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Removes from the definition of "neglected child" a newborn infant whose blood, urine, or meconium contains any amount of a controlled substance. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to report to the State's Attorney whenever the Department receives a report that a newborn infant's blood contains a controlled substance.
House Bill Placed on Third Reading for Vote in Senate
HB 3080 (Flowers-Fine) - Amends the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that a podiatric physician may provide and administer vaccinations, including, but not limited to, vaccinations for COVID-19 and influenza. Effective immediately.
New Proposed Rulemaking of Interest
MANAGED CARE The DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES proposed amendments to Medical Payment (89 IAC 140; 46 Ill Reg 17804) increasing the managed care organization (MCO) assessment rate for fiscal years 2023 through 2025. The Tier 1 Medicaid MCO assessment rate (applicable to the first 4,195,000 member months recorded in the base year of 2018) is being raised from $69.70 to $74.40 per member per month.
Assessment rates for Tier 2 (Medicaid MCO member months beyond the first 4,195,000 in 2018) and Tier 3 (nonMedicaid MCOs) are unchanged. The rulemaking also clarifies that the base year for MCOs that began doing business in Illinois after 2018 will be the first year for which HFS has sufficient data to calculate an assessment.
Questions/requests for copies/ comments through 12/28/22: Steffanie Garrett, HFS, 201 S. Grand Ave. East, 3rd Floor, Springfield IL 62763-0002, HFS.Rules@illinois.gov
Final Telehealth Letter
The Illinois Chamber joined 357 other companies and organizations in a coalition to expand access and improve affordability by allowing employers and health plans to offer telehealth heal services pre-deductible. This popular provision expires at the end of this year without Congressional action.
You can read the full letter here.
