Healthcare

Creates the Nonopioid Alternatives for Pain Act. Allows the Department of Public Health to develop and publish on its website a nonopioid alternatives pamphlet, with certain requirements. Prohibits a health insurance issuer to deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that coverage shall not be denied for a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug. Requires that nonopioid drugs preferred on a specific list for the treatment or management of pain shall not be disadvantaged or discouraged with respect to coverage relative to any opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain. Effective July 1, 2027.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the offense of aggravated battery based on the status of the victim, includes the battery of a health care worker: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Deletes provision that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a nurse while in the performance of his or her duties as a nurse. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony. Defines "health care worker".

Amends the Hospital Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create a pool of funding of at least $50,000,000 annually to be disbursed among safety-net hospitals that maintain perinatal designation from the Department of Public Health, provides that no safety-net hospital eligible for funds shall receive less than $5,000,000 annually.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes changes to defined terms. Provides that a group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2026 shall provide coverage for evidence-based cancer imaging for individuals with an increased risk of cancer as recommended by the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines. Provides that this coverage shall be provided without cost-sharing, and the requirements of the Act shall not apply to the extent that providing coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account.

Creates the Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council Act. Provides that the Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council is created to ensure that residents impacted by Illinois health care systems and public aid benefits have a voice in the State's implementation of various programs across State agencies. Sets forth the Council's objectives and duties which include: (i) identifying current shortfalls in the various public assistance, health care, and child care programs implemented at the State level; and (ii) recommending an overarching organizational structure to ensure coordination, alignment, and progress to assist all Illinoisans in accessing benefits at the State level. Contains provisions concerning Council membership. Requires the Council to meet at the call of the Chair at least 4 times beginning January 1, 2026; and for specified State agencies to attend at least 2 Council hearings in an advisory role. Requires the Council to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by July 1, 2027. Provides that the Council is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on July 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

Creates the Rural Hospital Task Force Act. Establishes the Rural Hospital Task Force within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of investigating the current state of rural hospitals and providing recommendations to prevent further closures of rural hospitals and to potentially expand rural hospital services. Provides that the Task Force shall convene to conduct business on at least 4 separate days. Requires the Department of Public Health to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Requires each agency and entity represented on the Task Force to share with the Task Force any data of the agency or entity necessary to achieve the purpose of the Task Force. Provides that all findings and recommendations made by the Task Force must be reported to the General Assembly before January 1, 2027. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on January 1, 2027

Urges full restoration of all eliminated direct support professionals (DSP) hours in the final FY26 State budget to protect the services individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) depend on.

Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Board Act. Establishes the Health Care Availability and Access Board to protect State residents, State and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the State, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Contains provisions concerning Board membership and terms; staff for the Board; Board meetings; circumstances under which Board members must recuse themselves; and other matters. Provides that the Board shall perform the following actions in open session: (i) deliberations on whether to subject a prescription drug product to a cost review; and (ii) any vote on whether to impose an upper payment limit on purchases, payments, and payor reimbursements of prescription drug products in the State. Permits the Board to adopt rules to implement the Act and to enter into a contract with a qualified, independent third party for any service necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Board. Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Stakeholder Council to provide stakeholder input to assist the Board in making decisions as required by the Act. Contains provisions concerning Council membership, member terms, and other matters. Provides that the Board shall adopt the federal Medicare Maximum Fair Price as the upper payment limit for a prescription drug product intended for use by individuals in the State. Prohibits the Board from creating an upper payment limit that is different from the Medicare Maximum Fair Price for the prescription drug product that has a Medicare Maximum Fair Price. Requires the Board to implement an upper payment limit that is the same as the Medicare Maximum Fair Price no sooner than the Medicare implementation date. Provides that Medicare Part C and D plans are not required to reimburse at the upper payment limit. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce the Act and may pursue any available remedy under State law when enforcing the Act. Effective 180 days after becoming law.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a health care worker (rather than a nurse) while in the performance of his or her duties as a health care worker (rather than a nurse). Provides that "health care worker" has the meaning provided in the Health Care Violence Prevention Act.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 shall provide coverage for all medically necessary diagnostic testing and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease or another related dementia, in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration label, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that coverage of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease or another related dementia shall not be subject to step therapy. Amends the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage under those provisions. Effective immediately.