Senator Holmes moves to reform prior authorization practices by health insurers

SPRINGFIELD – Prior authorization is a health insurance company practice meant to ensure treatments are medically necessary, but it often forces patients to wait too long for treatments they need. House Bill 711, sponsored by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to rein in that practice, passed the Senate Insurance Committee on Wednesday.

“People requiring surgery, supplies or services often experience stressful delays as they await approval for medical treatment, and it is past time to shorten and simplify that process,” Holmes said. “For those with chronic or life-threatening conditions, it can be an ongoing battle for however long the treatment continues.”

The Prior Authorization Reform Act would create a system that requires transparency, appropriate peer-to-peer review, medically appropriate timelines for both urgent and non-urgent care, and continuity of care. If authorization is approved for a given treatment, related supplies or services would also be considered to be authorized, and the approval would remain in effect for the extent of the care.

Read more: Senator Holmes moves to reform prior authorization practices by health insurers

Stadelman: Flying American-made flags is the right thing to do

SPRINGFIELD – State agencies and institutions could only purchase American and Illinois flags manufactured in the United States under a measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) that passed committee Wednesday.

“This is the right thing to do. As a government, we have no business flying our state and nation’s flags if they aren’t made in America,” Stadelman said. “Supporting our local businesses and economies should always take priority.”

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Peters advances legislation that would decriminalize HIV transmission

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is continuing an effort to decriminalize the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus.

“Having HIV is a health care concern, not a crime,” Peters said. “People living with HIV don’t need to worry about facing criminal charges for simply living.”

Read more: Peters advances legislation that would decriminalize HIV transmission

Villanueva moves to reinstate Immigrant Impact Task Force

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the wellbeing of immigrant communities, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that would reinstate the Illinois Immigrant Impact Task Force.

“We need this task force in order to determine where relief efforts have fallen short for immigrant communities,” Villanueva said. “We must address the systemic disinvestment in our area and build a recovery that benefits all Illinoisans, regardless of status.”

The legislation would reinstate the Illinois Immigrant Impact Task Force, which ended at the start of 2021. The task force would examine where the state can improve relations and services in immigrant communities, the impact of the pandemic, disbursement of funds to immigrant communities, practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the state among other issues.

Read more: Villanueva moves to reinstate Immigrant Impact Task Force