Two ISMS-Backed Measures Signed Into Law; End-of-Session Report Now Available

June 17, 2022

This spring the Illinois General Assembly held one of the shortest, yet busiest, legislative sessions in memory. In addition to passing a budget, legislators approved legislation aimed at providing residents relief from inflation and property taxes; reforming the hospital assessment; reforming nursing home rates; and taking steps to improve firearm safety.

ISMS was a key stakeholder in negotiations to amend Illinois’ surprise billing law to track with the federal No Surprises Act, and supported a successful initiative brought forward by Vituity (an ISMS group member) to increase access to care and improve privacy for sexual assault survivors. The latter bill was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker yesterday, with Vituity physicians in attendance. Earlier this week, Gov. Pritzker also signed an ISMS-backed law requiring insurance and managed care plans provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors, an essential tool for diabetes care. ISMS President-Elect Dr. Rodney Alford represented Illinois physicians at the event.

In addition to these victories, ISMS is helping shape rules to fully implement and enforce the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act passed in 2017 – a much-needed development – and successfully pushed back on bills expanding other health care professionals’ scope of practice and bills that would establish onerous mandates on physicians.

For details on the primary areas of ISMS advocacy during this year’s legislative session, download our 2022 End-of-Session Legislative Report. If you have questions on these issues, or on other bills not on the list that ISMS may have supported, please contact ISMS Senior VP of State Legislative Affairs Erin O’Brien via email.