Healthcare

Creates the Illinois Universal Health Care Act. Provides that all individuals residing in the State are covered under the Illinois Health Services Program for health insurance. Sets forth the health coverage benefits that participants are entitled to under the Program. Sets forth the qualification requirements for participating health providers. Sets forth standards for provider reimbursement. Provides that it is unlawful for private health insurers to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the coverage of the Program. Provides that investor-ownership of health delivery facilities is unlawful. Provides that the State shall establish the Illinois Health Services Trust to provide financing for the Program. Sets forth the requirements for claims billing under the Program. Provides that the Program shall include funding for long-term care services and mental health services. Provides that the Program shall establish a single prescription drug formulary and list of approved durable medical goods and supplies. Creates the Pharmaceutical and Durable Medical Goods Committee to negotiate the prices of pharmaceuticals and durable medical goods with suppliers or manufacturers on an open bid competitive basis. Sets forth provisions concerning patients' rights. Provides that the employees of the Program shall be compensated in accordance with the current pay scale for State employees and as deemed professionally appropriate by the General Assembly.

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.

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.

Encourages the creation of policies that have a broad approach and encompass access, bias, and cost in order to move healthcare closer to achieving pharmacoequity to pave the way for better health outcomes.

Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides that a chronic health condition is a condition that is expected to last on year or more and requires ongoing medical attention to effectively manage the condition or prevent an adverse health event limits one or more activities of daily living. Replaces "chronic or long-term condition" with "chronic health condition". Provides that, if a health insurance issuer requires a prior authorization for a recurring health care service or maintenance medication for the treatment of a chronic health condition, the approval shall remain valid from the date the health care professional or health care provider receives the prior authorization approval for the duration of the chronic health condition or the length of the treatment, as determined by the patient's health care professional, unless the standard of treatment for that health condition changes.

Appropriates $4,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants to school districts to contract with organizations that directly provide students and school-based staff with mental telehealth services that are billed to Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Effective July 1, 2025.

Creates the Operating Room Patient Safety Act. Provides that each surgical technologist hired or contracted by a health care facility on or after January 1, 2027 shall meet specified educational, certification, or experiential requirements. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an individual from performing surgical technology services if the individual is acting within the scope of the individual's license or registration or is a student or intern under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Creates the Health Care Transparency Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall identify reproductive health care services, LGBTQ health care services, and end-of-life health care services that are or may be subject to denial of care for nonmedical reasons in the State and develop a clear and simple disclosure form for the purpose of conveying to patients and to the public which of the identified health care services are and are not generally available, are subject to restriction for nonmedical reasons, and are subject to restrictions on referral by each covered entity. Requires the Department to publish and maintain on its public-facing website a current list of covered entities and provide for public access to the disclosure form submitted by each covered entity; adopt rules implementing the Department's duties; and develop and administer to the public an education and awareness program regarding how denial of care may negatively impact health care access and quality, may be avoided, and affects vulnerable people and communities. Establishes disclosure requirements for covered entities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each public institution of higher education with student health services shall provide enrolled students with access to health care professionals authorized under State law to prescribe contraception. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, if the public institution of higher education's student health services includes a pharmacy, the pharmacy on campus shall dispense contraception to enrolled students who wish to fill their prescriptions at the university pharmacy. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each public institution of higher education with student health services shall provide enrolled students with access to health care professionals authorized under State law to prescribe medication abortion. Provides that a public institution of higher education that dispenses medication abortion from the university pharmacy shall enter into a referral agreement with a tertiary care facility with obstetrics and gynecological services in the event of complication from medication abortion or suspected complicated pregnancy prior to dispensing medication abortion. Requires each public institution of higher education to report annually to the Board of Higher Education that policies under the provisions have been adopted. Requires the Board to post to its website annually each public institution of higher education's compliance with the policies under the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, the Director of Central Management Services shall implement a program providing choice to Medicare-primary members and their Medicare-primary dependents. Provides that the program shall include a monthly voucher in the amount that the State would have contributed toward that member's monthly premium if the Medicare-primary member elected to participate in the group health benefits program. Provides that the voucher shall be used by the Medicare-primary member to pay the monthly premium cost of an individual Medicare Advantage plan of his or her choosing. Effective immediately.