Welcome to a special lame duck edition of the newsletter. With the 102nd General Assembly wrapping up last night, I wanted to get the newsletter out early this week to serve as a wrap up for tech related activities during the last few days of this GA.
I’ll be back next week with a host of legislation filed for the 103rd General Assembly which was sworn in today. With the new General Assembly in place all legislative matters from the 102nd are concluded (except for a few awaiting J.B.’s signature). From noon today forward, all legislative matters start anew.
Reproductive Healthcare Expansion Passes Both Chambers. Pritzker will Sign.
After an acrimonious few days between the legislative chambers, leaders were able to come to an agreement on an expansion of reproductive healthcare and gender affirming healthcare. HB 4664 (Cassidy/Villanueva) mandates coverage of abortifacients and gender affirming medication. It allows for licensing of doctors and nurses that have lost their license to practice in another state for performing illegal abortions in that state. Public Health will provide grants to underserved areas and transportation hubs for reproductive healthcare training. Also, the bill calls for Illinois courts to ignore many types of out of state subpoenas relating to abortion.
The bill passed the Senate and House on a party line vote. The Governor is expected to sign shortly.
HB 240 Headed to the Governor for Signature
HB 240 passed both legislative chambers on the final day of lame duck session. The bill was sponsored by Representative Greg Harris and Senator Gillespie. The bill was a healthcare omnibus. Here are a few of the notable provisions:
- Federal money for rural hospitals
- Nursing home staffing requirements and additional money for nursing homes
- DHS has 60 days (instead of 20) to take jailed persons with mental health issues. This was opposed by the Sheriff’s Association.
- Expansion of ABA therapy
- A fee waiver for podiatrists
- Emergency ambulance ARPA funds distributions
- Crisis intervention services mental health and substance abuse funding
The bill passed 32-15 in the Senate and 85-24 in the House.
BIPA Case Update- Walton v. Roosevelt
The Illinois Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for the BIPA Case, Walton v. Roosevelt for January 18th, 2023.
You may recall that the court earlier accepted the Illinois Chamber’s Amicus Brief in the BIPA case, Walton v. Roosevelt. In this case, the issue is whether the federal Labor Management Relations Act preempts BIPA. We argue that it does. You can read the full brief: HERE
We are awaiting a number of BIPA rulings from the State’s top court.
Rulemaking of Interest
New Licensed Healthcare Professions: The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION proposed amendments to Administrative Procedures for General Professional Regulation Under the Administrative Code (68 IAC 1130; 46 Ill Reg 20445) implementing three Public Acts that establish new licensed healthcare professions. The rulemaking adds behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts, music therapists, and midwives to the list of licensed healthcare professions.
Family Planning: The DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES proposed amendments to Medical Assistance Programs (89 IAC 120; 47 Ill Reg 14) and Medical Payment (89 IAC 140; 47 Ill Reg 32) implementing Public Act 102-665, which establishes a Family Planning Program to provide targeted medical assistance coverage
for persons of childbearing age who do not qualify for regular Medicaid/ Medical Assistance. Amendments to Part 120 extend Family Planning Program eligibility to Illinois residents who are not pregnant at the time of enrollment, do not otherwise qualify for Medical Assistance under the Public Aid Code, and whose income is at or below 208% of the Federal Poverty Level, with all applicable disregards, for a household of 1 or 2 persons.
Infertility Coverage: The DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE adopted amendments to the Part titled Infertility Coverage (50 IAC 2015; 45 Ill Reg 16140) effective 12/20/22, implementing various changes to the Illinois Insurance Code [215 ILCS 5] as it applies to group health insurance policies that provide pregnancy-related coverage to businesses with 25 or more full-time employees. This rulemaking aligns the definition of “infertility” with that added to the Code by PA 102-170
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.
