Clark Kaericher | Executive Director, Healthcare Council & Sr. VP of Government Affairs | 618-806-1501
August 11, 2023

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.
It’s once again State Fair Week. Let me know if you are in town for any of the festivities and want to catch up. I’m planning to head by the fairgrounds a time or two, in addition to the associated political fundraisers.
 
Don’t forget your sunscreen. I have this mental block that sunscreen isn’t required unless there is a body of water involved…it doesn’t always work out for well for me.
 
New Bill Signings

HB 1615, Nursing was signed into law. This bill provides that a primary goal of the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center is to develop a strategic plan for nursing workforce in the State by selecting priorities to be addressed, including: (1) for license renewals beginning in 2024 and each renewal thereafter, to develop and require the completion of a supply survey of all licensed nurses at initial licensure and each license renewal thereafter; and (2) no later than 2026, to develop a nurse demand and employer survey to be collected biennially. Adds 2 members to the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center Advisory Board representing a labor organization recognized under the National Labor Relations Act that represents active registered professional nurses licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
 
HB 2068, Transportation Benefit Program-Opposed was signed into law. This bill creates the Transportation Benefits Program Act. Requires all covered employers of 50 employees or more in a specified geographic area at an address that is located within one mile of regularly scheduled transit service. Provides that the pre-tax commuter benefit shall allow employees to use pre-tax dollars for the purchase of a transit pass via payroll deduction, such that the costs for such purchases may be excluded from the employee's taxable wages and compensation up to the maximum amount permitted by federal tax law. Provides that the Regional Transportation Authority shall make publicly available a searchable map of addresses that are located within one mile of fixed-route transit service.
 
HB 3957, Drug Pricing was signed into law. This bill provides that a manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor shall not engage in price gouging in the sale of an essential off-patent or generic drug. Provides that the Director of Healthcare and Family Services or Director of Central Management Services shall (rather than may) notify the Attorney General of any increase in the price of any essential off-patent or generic drug under the Medical Assistance Program under the Illinois Public Aid Code or a State health plan, respectively, that amounts to price gouging. Provides that a notice sent by the Attorney General to the manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor of an essential off-patent or generic drug shall serve as a litigation hold regarding documents and communications about that drug. Provides that upon petition of the Attorney General, a circuit court may issue an order imposing a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day (rather than only $10,000) for each violation of the Act or providing for the Attorney General's recovery of costs and disbursements incurred in bringing an action against a manufacturer found to be in violation of the Act. Provides that if the Attorney General has reason to believe that a manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor of an essential off-patent or generic drug has violated the provisions, then the Attorney General may (rather than shall) send a notice to the manufacturer or the wholesale drug distributor requesting a statement. Removes language providing that the Director of Central Management Services shall notify the Attorney General of any increase in the price of any essential off-patent or generic drug under the State health plan that amounts to price gouging.
Annual Meeting and Reception Sponsorship
 
The Illinois Chamber is now seeking sponsors for our 2023 annual luncheon! The 2023 annual luncheon and pre-event reception will be held on September 28 at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook. We are seeking sponsors for the reception preceding the event as well as the meeting itself.
 
Please see the attached document for reception sponsorship information as well as a tentative agenda. The annual meeting is our biggest event of the year and I look forward to seeing you all there.
 
Please reach out to me for further sponsorship details at ckaericher@ilchamber.org
Rulemaking

Healthcare Workforce Program With Community Colleges The ILLINOIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD adopted amendments to the Part titled Administration of the Illinois Public Community College Act (23 IAC 1501; 46 Ill Reg 14828) effective 7/11/23. The rulemaking implements Public Act 102-699, which creates the Pipeline for the Advancement of The Healthcare (PATH) Workforce Program and requires ICCB to establish the funding formula and other provisions in rule. The program provides grants to community college districts for the purpose of creating, supporting and expanding opportunities for students enrolled in healthcare pathways (certificate, credential or degree programs that allow the student to enter or advance in the healthcare industry). The funding formula includes a base grant of $100,000 per district, plus additional amounts based on the number of students in each district who completed eligible healthcare programs in the most recent academic year for which ICCB has collected data; this completion data shall be weighted based on industry workforce demand. Target populations for each district receiving grant funds shall include, but are not limited to, current healthcare workers seeking advancement and new students with an identified need for support. Eligible programs and grant application information will be posted, and priority programs identified, on the ICCB website, along with the planned PATH grant allocations to each district when sufficient funding is available. Districts have 30 days to submit grant applications when PATH funding becomes available. Allowable expenditures, reporting requirements and other requirements for grants shall be specified in the grant agreements between ICCB and each community college district. Changes since 1st Notice add further details on the funding formula and process of distributing grant funds. Questions/requests for copies: Matt Berry, ICCB, 401 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield IL 62701-1711, 217/785-7411, matt.berry@ illinois.gov

Hospitals The DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH proposed amendments to Hospital Licensing Requirements (77 IAC 250; 47 Ill Reg 11724) clarifying that general acute care and critical access hospitals that provide limited inpatient or observation services to pediatric patients must have consultation agreements with a children’s hospital or another hospital’s pediatric unit unless the hospital has a board-certified or board-eligible pediatrician either in the hospital or on call 24/7. If a consultation agreement is needed, the hospital must have provider-to-patient or provider-to-provider electronic communication that meets telemedicine requirements. The rulemaking also clarifies that pediatric patients include newborns less than 28 days old and infants or children through age 14. Other provisions clarify that placental tissues do not need to be examined by a pathologist upon removal unless specifically requested by the delivering physician or practitioner; update references to the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA regulations); and correct an erroneous cross-reference in subsection. Questions/requests for copies/ comments through 9/18/23: Tracey Trigillo, DPH, 524 S. Second Street, 6th Floor, Springfield IL 62701, dph.rules@illinois.gov

Medical Assistance The DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES proposed amendments to Medical Assistance Programs (89 IAC 120; 47 Ill Reg 11529) implementing PA 102-43, which raised the medical assistance income eligibility threshold for children under 19 years of age to 313% of the Federal Poverty Level. HFS also proposed repeal of the Parts titled Covering All Kids Health Insurance Program (89 IAC 123; 47 Ill Reg 11545) and Children’s Health Insurance Program (89 IAC 125; 47 Ill Reg 11562) since children formerly served under All Kids and CHIP now qualify for regular medical assistance. Questions/requests for copies/ comments on the 3 HFS rulemakings through 9/18/23: Steffanie Garrett, HFS, 201 S Grand Ave. East, 3rd Floor, Springfield IL 62763-0002, HFS.Rules@illinois.gov
 
Welcome Group Marketing Services to the Healthcare Council

Group Marketing Services, Inc. has been offering group benefits to small businesses since 1972. With offices in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, MI, they are able to serve group insurance needs throughout Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and the entire Midwest by offering Major Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance. They also offer COBRA and Flexible Spending Account administration. They pride themselves in customer service and our ability to customize solutions to meet your small business group benefit needs.

Veto Session Dates

Veto Session will be here before you realize. Lawmakers announced the 2023 dates for October 24-26 and November 7-9. View the calendar here.
 
Articles of Interest
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