Healthcare

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning on January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rates for the support component of the nursing facility rate for facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled or intermediate care facilities and for facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 shall be the rate in effect on June 30, 2024 increased by the percent change in the Consumer Price Index-U from September 2016 to September 2025. Effective immediately.

Encourages all residents to follow the prevention guidance provided by the Melanoma Research Foundation. Urges Illinois healthcare providers to promote early skin checks and educate patients on both UV safety and genetic risk factors for melanoma. Supports increased funding for melanoma education, outreach, and screening programs throughout the State.

Amends the Community Benefits Act. Provides that, in order to increase transparency and accessibility of charity care and financial assistance data, a hospital shall make the annual hospital community benefits plan report submitted to the Attorney General available to the public by publishing the specified information on the hospital's website in the same location where annual reports are posted or on a prominent location on the homepage of the hospital's website. Provides that a hospital is not required to post its audited financial statements. Requires the Attorney General to provide notice on the Attorney General's website informing the public that, upon request, the Attorney General shall provide the annual reports filed with the Attorney General, and requires the notice to include contact information for a request. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act and the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that residents of nursing home facilities have the right to outdoor access. Provides that residents of nursing home facilities and consumers served by mental health rehabilitation facilities shall be free to enter and leave the facilities as they choose. Provides that a facility may suspend this right only if the resident's or consumer's physician examines the resident or consumer and determines that leaving the facility would pose a danger to other residents or consumers or an immediate and substantial danger to the resident's or consumer's safety and well-being, which shall be explained to the resident or consumer and documented in the resident's or consumer's medical chart.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that no later than July 1, 2025, over-the-counter choline dietary supplements for pregnant persons shall be covered under the medical assistance program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that upon application to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, supportive living program settings may convert non-dementia care setting units to dementia care setting units. Provides that all conversions must be operational within one year of approval and meet criteria specific to certification for dementia care setting units outlined in the Illinois Administrative Code.

Urges the President of the United States and Congress to ensure they will not to cut, impound, or reduce funding for the neediest communities in Illinois and across the United States and to fully comply with the congressional intent behind federally appropriated funds.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health, recommended screening guidelines for tardive dyskinesia for providers serving patients prescribed antipsychotic medications under the medical assistance program in State-operated residential facilities and community-based settings. Provides that the recommended screening guidelines shall be based on current, nationally accepted, evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and treatment of tardive dyskinesia, and shall include structured assessment tools, which can be both quantitative and qualitative. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, to develop communication strategies and educational materials to be offered to health care providers regarding tardive dyskinesia, the recommended screening guidelines, and any subsequent revisions. Provides that in developing the information to be disseminated, the Departments of Healthcare and Family Services, Human Services, and Public Health shall consult with a statewide association representing physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches and a statewide association representing psychiatrists.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to conduct a study on managed care pharmacy access standards. Provides that the study shall review the current access standards, with a focus on disproportionately impacted areas. Requires the Department to seek input from consumers of pharmacy services. Requires the Department to report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2026 and to publish the report on the Department's website. Provides that any retail pharmacy that is enrolled as an eligible retail pharmacy provider in the medical assistance program and is not sanctioned under investigation for fraud, waste, or abuse shall provide retail pharmacy services to any medical assistance recipient who resides in the same zip code as the pharmacy, regardless of whether the retail pharmacy is contracted to provide pharmacy services for the managed care organization that the recipient is enrolled with. Requires the managed care organization to pay the retail pharmacy the managed care organization's standard contractual rate. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, in accordance with federal guidance issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall exempt from electronic visit verification requirements all live-in caregivers who provide Medicaid-funded personal care services or home health care services under the Illinois Title XIX State Plan or a waiver of the plan, including personal care services and home health care services provided under various home and community-based services waiver programs authorized under the Social Security Act. Defines "live-in caregiver". Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.