Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.
Legislative Scheduling Updates
After conclusion of business earlier this month, the Senate released its session calendar for 2023. Last week, the House released its 2023 calendar. Lawmakers will return January 4th for the beginning of Lame Duck session. The 103rd General Assembly will be inaugurated on January 11th.
This will be the last newsletter of 2022. I’ll be back with you the first week of January and we will jump right into Lame Duck Session.
Telehealth Update
A couple newsletters ago, I outlined the Illinois Chamber joining stakeholder efforts to obtain a federal extension of the the telehealth provision allowing employers the flexibility to offer telehealth services pre-deductible to those with a high deductible health plan paired with a health savings account. Today, Congressional leadership issued the details of the year-end omnibus package that includes a 2-year extension of this provision. (Bill text here.)
The Senate is expected to take action on this package first, with the House completing action by the end of the week. The final bill is expected to be sent to the President for signature by the end of the year.
This provision helps to keep telehealth services affordable and accessible. We hope to work with you again in the future to make this provision permanent.
Please let me know if you would like any additional information on the work the Alliance to Fight for Health Care is doing to strengthen and protect employer-provided health care coverage.
If you missed the letter, you can read it in its entirety HERE.
Proposed Rulemaking
NURSE STAFFING AGENCIES The DEPARTMENT OF LABOR proposed amendments to the Part titled Nurse Agency Licensing Act (68 IAC 690; 46 Ill Reg 19077) implementing Public Act 102-946, which concerns staffing agencies that employ, refer, or assign nurses or certified nurse aides to health care facilities as temporary workers. The rulemaking clarifies which entities are subject to the Act and the Part (including web-based platforms and mobile applications); provides examples of actions that classify these entities as nurse agencies; defines “assign”, “employ” and “refer” for purposes of the Part; and removes requirements for license applications to be notarized (because the application process is transitioning to an electronic process). Each nurse agency, upon applying for a license, must certify that it holds workers compensation and professional liability insurance; provide DOL copies of its contracts with facilities; pay an application fee (increased from $250 to $1,000, plus an additional $250 per branch office) online; and provide data on its shift fulfillment rate for the previous three quarters. Other provisions outline record keeping and reporting requirements; require quarterly labor cost data reporting; update the process by which nurse agencies verify licensure of their employees; address continuing education opportunities, background checks, on-boarding requirements, and employee classification; and state that nurse agencies hold responsibility for ensuring that employees meet applicable requirements. The rulemaking also establishes that DOL may initiate an investigation of a suspected violation with or without a complaint, sets terms for employer response and hearing, and increases the maximum (statutory) penalty for each violation from $1,000 to $10,000. Nurse staffing agencies and the facilities that utilize them are affected. Questions/requests for copies/ comments through 1/16/23: Anna Koeppel, DOL, 524 S. Second St., Suite 400, Springfield IL 62701, 217/558-1270, Anna.Koeppel@ illinois.gov
HOSPITALS DPH also proposed amendments to Hospital Licensing Requirements (77 IAC 250; 46 Ill Reg 19115) that align the Part’s rules for operation of fluoroscopes with Illinois Emergency Management Agency rules for medical use of x-rays in 32 IAC 360. The amendments allow accredited medical radiographers, accredited radiation therapists, or accredited radiologist assistants, under certain conditions, to operate fluororscopes as authorized by the IEMA rules. (Current DPH rule restricts this task to credentialed physicians.) Questions/requests for copies/ comments on the 2 DPH rulemakings through 1/16/23: Tracey Trigillo, DPH, 524 S. Second St., 6th Floor, Springfield, IL 62701, 217/782-1159, dph.rules@illinois.gov .
Thoughts on Next Council Meeting?
I’m looking to schedule a council meeting in the first two months of 2023. I’d love to hear of topics/speakers of interest to you. No thought too small and any input is appreciated.
