Federal Stimulus Moves Forward
At the time of writing, the Senate has approved the federal COVID-19 stimulus package, with the House scheduled to vote today (or Saturday depending on if an objection is raised about quorum). You can read a summary of the act via the U.S. Senate Majority Leader's office here.
There are a host of healthcare policy changes in the legislation. The U.S Senate Finance Committee has a summary of policy changes here - many of the changes deal with the use of telehealth and reimbursements in the Medicare program, although there are a few Medicaid-related items included as well.
If you have a specific interest in any particular area, please let us know and we will help dive into the specifics.
State Response Week in Review
Yesterday the Pritzker Administration, in conjunction with the United Way of Illinois and the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations, announced a new statewide effort to raise funds to support nonprofits with COVID-19-related services. The fund will be administered by the non-state sponsors, and will focus on:
* Emergency food and basic supplies
* Interim housing and shelter
* Primary health care services
* Utility and financial assistance
* Supports for children and other vulnerable populations
* Nonprofit safety and operations assistance
The state also has announced several loan and support programs, including a
Hospitality Emergency Grant Program, Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund and a Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. DCEO is administering all the programs. Eligibility information and other background on all the funds can be found here.
Finally, the Pritzker administration announced additional testing efforts, as well as efforts to boost hospital capacity including IEMA triage centers, repurposing old hospitals and securing additional medical equipment.
When Will We Go Back Into Session?
The short answer is, it's anyone's guess. The Chamber has had conversations with both HFS and legislators concerning one of the short-term must-pass legislative items - the revamped hospital assessment - and many individuals believe that we no longer need to pass an assessment by early April. Instead, once an agreement is made with stakeholders, HFS will begin the approval process with the federal government. Legislative action would be necessary of course at some point, but few are excited to return to Springfield in the middle of the public health crisis. Stay tuned.
JCAR Update
DPH proposed amendments to the Part titled Emergency Medical Services, Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Primary Stroke Center and Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Code (77 IAC 515; 44 Ill Reg 5184) implementing PA 100-1082 by adding provisions for Pre-Hospital Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (PHAPRNs) and PreHospital Physician Assistants (PHPAs) and updating requirements for hospital certification as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP), Standby Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (SEDP), or Pediatric Critical Care Center (PCCC). The rulemaking also updates the composition of the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Board. Hospitals that provide emergency care to children and APRNs and PAs working in emergency medical services are affected.
DPH proposed amendments to the Parts titled Control of Sexually Transmissible Infections Code (77 IAC 693; 44 Ill Reg 5330) and HIV/ AIDS Confidentiality and Testing Code (77 IAC 697; 44 Ill Reg 5336) implementing Executive Order 2019-8, which allows DPH to share HIV/AIDS Registry data with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the sole purpose of facilitating treatment of persons living with HIV. The rulemakings outline how this data is to be handled and shared to preserve confidentiality. DPH also proposed amendments to the Part titled AIDS Drug Assistance Program (77 IAC 692; 44 Ill Reg 5325) updating income eligibility thresholds to reflect the 2020 Federal Poverty Level guidelines. (The eligibility threshold for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program is 300% of FPL based on household size.)
Economic Trends in the Wake of COVID-19 Webinar
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce will be presenting a webinar (put on by the International Business Council and Venkat Veeramani, SVP of Risk Management at Wintrust) on Friday, April 3, 2020. Topics will include the following:
U.S. economic activity is all set to decline sharply. Is the recovery going to be 'V', 'U', 'L' shaped or something else?
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general economic and financial market indicators,
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COVID-19 Pandemic's short-term and long-term impacts on the U.S. economy,
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demand/supply/capacity disruptions and its economic/financial consequences, and
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fiscal and monetary policy measures enacted around the globe to cope with the situation.
Members can register for $59 at this link.
