Lori Cowdrey Benso | Executive Director, Healthcare Council | 217-725-6522
May 9, 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 evening!

Illinois front:

 
The Senate is scheduled to return on May 10th and the House is scheduled to return on May 11th.
 
Several bills the Healthcare Council has been tracking passed out of the Chamber/other actions including:
 
o  HB 2405 Insurance Guaranty Fund – 3rd reading in Senate
o  SB 147 Medicare Enrollment – passed the Senate
o  SB 1966 Mental Health Care – passed House Mental Health & Addiction Committee
o   SB 499 Health Care/TMJ Disorders – placed on 2nd reading in House
o   SB 1753 Surplus Line – placed on 2nd reading in the House  
o  SB 1876 Group Life Insurance – placed on 2nd reading in the House 


There are a limited number of committees posted the week of May 10th. Please see the list below.
 
Telehealth: The Chamber has requested to participate in the telehealth stakeholder meetings.
 
Prior Authorization: HB 711 passed the House and passed Senate Insurance Committee. The bill is on 2nd reading in the Senate.
 
PBM Reform: The deadline for SB 2008 was extended to May 7th 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 10th:

05-11-21       House – Insurance  3:00 pm
                       Virtual Room 1: www.ilga.gov
                        
  • SB 332 INS-TELEHEALTH PROVIDER INFO
  • SB 1592 INS-DENIAL/SITE OF TREATMENT       
  • SB 1854 INS-BLOOD TESTING         
  • SB 1905 FAMILY FERTILITY DISCLOSE INS        
  • SB 1917 INS CODE–EPINEPHRINE INJECTOR  
  • SB 1974  Bob Morgan INS CD-HEALTH CARE RECOUPMENT       
    
05-11-21       Senate – Health 3:00 pm
                       Virtual Room 2: www.ilga.gov
 
05-12-21       House – Human Services  8:30 am
                       Virtual Room 2: www.ilga.gov
           
05-12-21       Senate – Insurance 4:30 pm
                       Virtual Room 1: www.ilga.gov
 
  • HB 135  INS CODE-BIRTH CONTROL      
  • HB 1745 INS-PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS
  • HB 1779 INS-BIOMARKER TESTING        
  • HB 1955 INS-HOLDING COMPANY SYSTEMS    
  • HB 1957 INS-VARIOUS         
  • HB 2595 INSURANCE-MENTAL HEALTH
  • HB 2653 INS CODE-COLONOSCOPY COVERAGE
                    
05-13-21        House – Mental Health & Addiction 10:00 am
                       Virtual Room 2: www.ilga.gov
                                         
Federal front: 

The New York Times is reporting nearly 1 million Americans have signed up for the Affordable Care Act during the first 10 weeks of a special open enrollment period.
 
Interesting article regarding COVID-19 and the skilled nursing facility industry.


List of key dates:

May 14 -       Bill deadline
May 31 –      Adjournment
 
Connect with the Chamber
Not a member and want to learn more about the Illinois Chamber?
Click here to contact Lanae Clarke