Senator Fine makes specialty services more accessible for HMO patients
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SPRINGFIELD – Navigating the healthcare system can be challenging and time consuming, especially for patients with HMOs. Currently, to see a specialist, HMO patients first have to visit their primary care doctor to get their specialist appointment covered by their insurance. State Senator Laura Fine has introduced legislation in order to eliminate this hurdle.
“When it comes to your health, getting the right care in a timely manner can make a tremendous difference,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “With this initiative, people will be able to get the specialized care they need as soon as possible.”
House Bill 1186 would allow HMO patients to have appointments and care with in-network specialists covered by their insurance, eliminating the requirement to get a referral from a general practitioner. This will allow HMO patients to get the care they need in a timely manner.
Read more: Senator Fine makes specialty services more accessible for HMO patients
Belt advances measure to reduce unnecessary traffic stops
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure through the Senate Transportation Committee today that would prohibit law enforcement from pulling a vehicle over for objects placed between the driver and their front windshield.
“Often times, people hang small air fresheners, personal items or parking passes on their rearview mirrors only to be pulled over because of it,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This has been a violation that has often been used as a pretext for law enforcement to pull people over, which disproportionately affects certain communities.”
Under current law, people cannot drive with any objects placed or suspended between the driver and the front windshield which obstruct the driver's view. House Bill 2389 would clarify that vehicles cannot be stopped or searched by a law enforcement officer solely on the basis of a violation or suspected violation of this subsection.
Read more: Belt advances measure to reduce unnecessary traffic stops
Halpin leads measure to increase access to higher education
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin advanced legislation that aims to increase access to higher education by modernizing and removing barriers to student directory information.
“By expanding access to student directory information, we can ensure that students are presented options and can make informed decisions about their future,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We want to keep Illinois students in Illinois for higher education, and this information will help.”
One of the key components of the legislation is expanding access to student directory information to public higher education institutions in Illinois. By Jan. 1, 2024, student directory information must be made available electronically through a secure centralized data system for official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States and to public higher education institutions in Illinois. This will allow colleges and universities to reach high school students more effectively, at a lower cost, and inform them of educational and career opportunities for their school.
Read more: Halpin leads measure to increase access to higher education
Faraci measure guarantees community college transfer students admission to Illinois universities
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci advanced legislation to expand university admissions opportunities to community college transfer students who meet certain academic requirements.
“We have seen tremendous success with this pilot program at the University of Illinois,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This action will give more students across our state the chance to stay in Illinois for higher education.”
House Bill 3760 would require Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University and Western Illinois University to create a four-year admissions program that admits community college transfer students each semester, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic school year.
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