Lori Cowdrey Benso | Executive Director, Healthcare Council | 217-725-6522
April 25, 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 afternoon!

Illinois front:

It was a long and busy week in Springfield with both the House and Senate holding Committee hearings and floor action. Friday, April 23rd was both the House and Senate deadline to move substantive bills out of the originating chamber. Unless an extension is given, all bills not passed out of their originating chamber will be returned to the Assignments/Rules committee.
 
The House and Senate are scheduled to return on April 27th.  Both the House and Senate are also scheduled to continue holding virtual Committee hearings Monday – Friday.
 
Several bills the Healthcare Council has been tracking passed out of the Chamber/other actions including:
 
o  HB 711 Prior Authorization – Passed House
o  HB 1745 Prescription Drug Benefits – Passed House
o  HB 1779 Biomarker Testing – Passed House
o  HB 2405 Insurance Guaranty Fund – Passed House
o  HB 2406 COVID – passed House and on Calendar Order of 1st Reading Senate
o  HB 3709 Infertility Coverage – Passed House
o  SB 332 Telehealth Provider Information – passed Senate
 
There are a limited number of committees posted the week of April 26th. Please see the list below. 
 
Telehealth: The Chamber has requested to participate in the telehealth stakeholder meetings.
 
Prior Authorization: HB 711 passed the House.
 
PBM Reform: The Senate held a subject matter only hearing regarding SB 2008. The Chamber has requested to participate in a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, April 27th at 9:00. The Chamber is concerned about the estimated costs related to SB 2008, and the possible impact on health insurance premiums. Additionally, rules have not been finalized regarding the previous omnibus reform bill, Public Act 101-452. 

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 April 26th:

04-27-21      House – Human Services  4:00 pm
                       Virtual Room 3: www.ilga.gov
                       COVID Vaccination Update and Barriers           
                       
04-30-21       Senate – Appropriations – Health 1:30 pm
                       Virtual Room 1: www.ilga.gov

                                          
Federal front: 

Interesting article related to telehealth and Medicare reimbursement.

Yahoo money is reporting a group of Democratic senators re-introduced legislation that would expand Medicare access to Americans who are between 50 – 64 years old.  Legislation would enable 50-year-old Americans to qualify for Medicare (yahoo.com)

The Hill reported on Friday, April 23rd that Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccinations can resume immediately. Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine gets green light to resume distribution | TheHill



List of key dates:

May 31 –      Adjournment 
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