Healthcare

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to submit the necessary application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend the State's home and community-based services waiver programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities to provide coverage under the Home-Based Services Program for any therapeutic recreation programs offered by park districts, health clubs, and community colleges.

Amends the Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Planning Act. Requires the State Healthcare Workforce Council to coordinate the State's health workforce education and training to develop a health workforce that meets the State's health care needs. Requires the Council to work with graduate medical education and training programs, health professions, and consumer representatives to address specified issues. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish a program to provide: (1) funding for medical residency positions that are not funded by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or other established funding source; (2) technical assistance for entities that wish to establish a residency program; and (3) startup funding for entities that wish to establish a residency program. Sets forth provisions concerning the application process and priority. Requires the Board to establish an application process for an entity seeking funding. Provides that the State Healthcare Workforce Council shall provide information annually to the Board related to workforce shortages to assist in the development of the application and shall be responsible for reviewing applications and making recommendations to the Board regarding funding recipients. Creates the Medical Residency Education Fund to expand graduate medical education opportunities in the State and maximize the delivery of medical care and physician services to specific areas of the State where there is a recognized unmet priority need for medical care and physician services. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

Declares March 5, 2025 as Rare Disease Day in the State of Illinois in order to raise awareness of rare diseases, support individuals and families who struggle with rare diseases, bring attention to the need for research and funding to support the discovery and development of therapies designed to treat and potentially cure rare diseases, and support the continued work of the Illinois Rare Disease Commission.

Honors the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman, whose contributions to medical science have had a lasting impact though her name is not widely known. Recognizes Alfred "Lacks" Carter Jr. for his work to preserve Henrietta Lacks' legacy and for his contributions in the fight against cervical cancer. Urges support for community-based research and education programs, which are vital to educating and empowering community members so they can make informed decisions about being involved in clinical research and the research process. Urges support for clinical research to reduce health disparities, to save lives, to gain insights about the safety and effectiveness of drugs and other medical treatments, and to discover treatments for various diseases.

Declares the month of July 2025 as Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Encourages funding for research organizations working towards finding the cause and the cure of SJIA in order to prevent this disease and offer successful treatment options.

Declares April 10, 2025 as Vaccine Awareness Day in the State of Illinois to educate the public about the importance of vaccinations, initiate meaningful dialogue around vaccinations, and encourage the uptake of vaccines. Urges the Illinois Department of Health to continue to promote to healthcare providers and the people of this state that vaccinations are a highly effective and safe public health measure and increase public awareness about the importance of all Illinois residents receiving recommended immunizations, and to promote outreach and education efforts concerning vaccinations. Urges the Illinois Department of Health to continue to prioritize immunization initiatives, develop policies, and invest in immunization infrastructure to ensure broad and open access to immunizations to safeguard public health and protect the well-being of Illinois residents.

Urges the State to increase reimbursement rates, state grants and contracts, and the minimum overhead allowance to meet the rising costs of providing essential human services in Illinois and supporting the workers who deliver those services.

Urges the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), in consultation with the Illinois Board of Pharmacy, to eliminate the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) as a requirement for pharmacist licensure in the State of Illinois. Encourages the IDFPR and the Illinois Board of Pharmacy to consider alternative approaches to ensuring pharmacists' understanding of state-specific laws and rules, including continuing education, attestation statements, or integration of jurisprudence content within the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).

Expresses opposition to the Trump healthcare cuts, which fundamentally undermine the basic dignity and financial security of working families across the country. Calls upon the United States Senate to immediately table the Trump healthcare cuts bill and instead pursue reforms such as the Illinois' Healthcare Protection Act to make healthcare more accessible and more affordable.

Urges the federal government to allocate more funding toward finding a cure for Lyme disease. Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education to begin health education to prevent tick bites for children who represent the highest risk group for tick-borne diseases. Declares the month of May 2025 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.