Rep. Mary Flowers

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Requires the Chicago Board of Education to establish a school nurse pilot program. Provides that under the program, the Board shall require the top 20% of the lowest performing schools in the school district, as determined by the Board, to employ a school nurse in conformance with certain provisions of the Code concerning school nurses. Requires the Board to implement this program beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Increases the minimum wage to $15 per hour on October 1, 2014. Effective immediately.

Creates the Consumer Health Insurance Counsel Act. Creates the independent Office of Consumer Health Insurance Counsel for the purpose of representing the interests of health insurance consumers. Sets forth provisions concerning the appointment and qualifications of and prohibited activities regarding the position of Consumer Health Insurance Counsel. Provides that the Consumer Health Insurance Counsel may assess the impact of insurance rates, rules, and forms on consumers and shall advocate positions determined to be most advantageous to a substantial number of insurance consumers. Sets forth additional provisions.

Creates the Adult Dental Safety Net Task Force to study the impact of these cuts on the ability of adults covered by Medicaid to receive care for dental conditions without being forced to go to the hospital emergency room for care.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the "Medicaid" Article.

Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Provides that wages and final compensation may be deposited, with the authorization of the employee, in a payroll debit card account, to be paid with a payroll debit card. Provides that an employee may be paid via payroll debit card account only if the employee (i) provides to the employer voluntary, written authorization; (ii) is fully informed of the terms of the account at the time of authorization; and (iii) has access, for purpose of withdrawal, to the employee's full net wages at least once per pay period. Provides that an employer must disclose and inform the employee of the features and uses of the payroll debit card and furnish the employee with a statement of deductions for each pay period. Provides that an employer may not intimidate or threaten an employee with any adverse employment action, such as discharge, for refusal to accept a payroll debit card, nor may an employer make a payroll debit card a condition of hire or continued employment. Defines "payroll debit card account".

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.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, Counties Code, Illinois Municipal Code, School Code, Illinois Insurance Code, Health Maintenance Organization Act, and Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Provides that group and individual policies of accident and health insurance and managed care plans must provide coverage for a vaccine for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is approved for marketing by the federal Food and Drug Administration and that is recommended by the United States Public Health Service. Provides that the provision concerning AIDS vaccines does not require a policy of accident and health insurance to provide coverage for any clinical trials relating to an AIDS vaccine or for any AIDS vaccine that has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration in the form of an investigational new drug application.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that accident and health insurance policies and managed care plans must provide coverage for intravenous feeding, prescription nutritional supplements, and hospital patient assessments. Makes corresponding changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, Counties Code, Illinois Municipal Code, School Code, Health Maintenance Organization Act, Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and Illinois Public Aid Code. Amends the Emergency Medical Treatment Act to provide that every hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act shall comply with the Hospital Emergency Service Act. Amends the Hospital Emergency Service Act in a provision concerning the Department of Public Health's rules regarding hospital emergency services. Repeals the provision concerning long-term acute care hospitals. Amends the Health Carrier External Review Act. Sets forth provisions concerning standard information for application forms; medical underwriting; the requirement to send to the applicant a copy of the health care service plan contract along with a notice; rescission and cancellation; postcontract investigation; and continuation. Makes changes in the provision concerning standard external review. Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that each patient has a right to be informed of his or her inpatient or outpatient status. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Creates the Hospital Patient Protection Act. Provides for minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals, and requires hospitals to have a written staffing plan. Sets forth essential functions of direct care registered nurses relating to hospital patient care. Sets forth certain rights of direct care registered nurses, including the rights to protected speech and patient advocacy. Prohibits a hospital from interfering with a nurse's exercise of those rights, and prohibits other retaliatory or discriminatory action by a hospital. Provides for monetary and equitable relief for violations of the Act, and provides for civil penalties. Requires a hospital to post certain provisions of the Act for review by the hospital's employees and patients and by the public. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act and the Nurse Practice Act to provide that in the case of a conflict between a provision of either of those Acts and a provision of the Hospital Patient Protection Act, the Hospital Patient Protection Act shall control.