Healthcare

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Public Health for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $286,257,200; Other State Funds $364,858,708; Federal Funds $733,950,369; Total $1,385,066,277.

Amends the Rebuild Illinois Mental Health Workforce Act. Provides that, subject to federal approval, for dates of service on and after July 1, 2026, the Medicaid reimbursement rates for Assertive Community Treatment and Community Support Team services shall be increased by an amount appropriated for the purposes enumerated in the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that "community health center" means a migrant health center, community health center, health care program for the homeless or for residents of public housing supported under the federal Public Health Service Act, or FQHC, including an FQHC Look-Alike, as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that operates at least one federally designated primary health care delivery site in Illinois. Provides that "physician" means a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches and does not include a chiropractic physician. In provisions concerning acts constituting the practice of dental hygiene, provides that a public health dental hygienist may not administer local anesthesia except as provided in the amendatory provisions. Provides that a dental hygienist practicing in a community health center may administer local anesthetics upon the successful completion of a training program approved by the Department and under the general supervision of a dentist as long as the community health center: (i) has adopted written policies and procedures establishing supervision by a dentist or physician at the time the local anesthetics are administered, and (ii) ensures that a dentist or physician is physically present in the clinic at the time the local anesthetics are administered.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands medical assistance coverage to certain categories of lawfully present noncitizens. Sets income guidelines for qualifying persons age 19 through 64 and income guidelines for persons 65 years of age or older. Removes a provision permitting medical assistance coverage for up to 24 continuous months from the initial eligibility date, if otherwise eligible.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Allows the Department of Public Health to contract for a statewide mobile pregnancy application to promote awareness of maternal and infant health programs for Medicaid participants, eligible individuals, and the uninsured. Sets application requirements, data reporting standards, and payment terms. Provides for nondigital outreach. Directs the Department to issue a request for proposals within 180 days.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that coroners are first-responders for the purposes of provisions requiring a county that is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for its employees to include mental health counseling for any county employee who is a first responder without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Medicaid Access Adjustment payments to nursing facilities, provides that for dates of service beginning January 1, 2027, the Medicaid Access Adjustment shall be increased by $5.75 to $10.50 per diem. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, facilities located outside of Rate Areas 6, 7, and 8 shall have the Medicaid percent of occupied bed days to be at least 60% of all occupied bed days adjusted quarterly to qualify for the Medicaid Access Adjustment. Provides that the remaining facilities shall have their threshold remain at 70%.

Amends the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article in the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning annual funding for the health care transformation program, provides that funds that had been budgeted but unexpended in State fiscal years 2021 through 2027 may be allocated in State fiscal year 2028 in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000.

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides that the comprehensive assessment of a patient prior to the patient's admission to an establishment shall be completed by a physician or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. In provisions concerning licensure of an establishment, changes education requirements for the full-time director of an establishment. Makes changes to the definition of "medication administration" in provisions concerning service requirements. Provides that a licensed health care professional may be employed (instead of may not be employed) by the owner or operator of the establishment, its parent entity, or any other entity with ownership common to either the owner or operator of the establishment or parent entity, including, but not limited to, an affiliate of the owner or operator of the establishment, if the resident chooses to utilize the services of the licensed health care professional working within the scope of the professional's practice. Sets forth provisions concerning an emergency plan and disaster preparedness. Provides that incidents must be reported to the Department of Public Health within 24 hours after the incident or by the end of the next business day. Provides that staff in an establishment may be trained to assist in a nonemergency lift of a resident. Provides that repeated technical infractions by an establishment within a calendar year may result in a Type 3 violation.

Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Changes the definition of "petitioner" to include any medical personnel, social services and mental health personnel, crisis intervention personnel, or education personnel as described in a provision of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.