Thank You for Calling Your Lawmakers – You Made a Difference in Pushing Back Unsafe Legislation

March 28, 2025

As of last week, two dangerous bills did not advance in Springfield and ISMS would like to thank you for your advocacy!

Stopped: Senate Bill 271 would have granted physician assistants (PAs) independent practice and removed the collaborative agreement with a physician once the PA had completed minimal hours of continuing education and clinical training under the guise of optimal practice. Further, the proposed legislation would have allowed PAs to prescribe and administer all drugs, including Schedule II narcotic drugs by injection in all healthcare settings.

Stopped: Senate Bill 239 would have granted certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) independent practice in ambulatory surgical treatment centers (ASTC) and hospital settings by removing the requirement for CRNAs to engage in a discussion with an anesthesiologist or other physician about the anesthesia plan for the patient. Further, the legislation would have removed the requirement to have a physician on the premises during delivery of anesthesia. The bill would have also allowed them to make assessments and diagnosis independent of a physician.

Illinois patients are safer today because you took action!

As you know, anything can happen in Springfield, so we will remain vigilant in monitoring these scope issues for the remainder of the session.