SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a massive health care reform plan into law Tuesday. This marked the fourth and final proposal from the Legislative Black Caucus agenda to become law in recent months. Members wanted to make sure every Illinoisan receives quality health care, regardless of race, gender, or income.
Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) was one of the lead sponsors of this plan. She says if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much else. Lilly also noted this law is only a first step in the right direction.
“Health care is a right, not a privelege,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “But for too long, too many Illinoisans have been denied that right.”
This legislation creates a new program to help train and certify community health workers and expand access to quality health care services. The law includes trauma-informed training for daycare centers and new pathways to address maternal and infant mortality. Another provision adds specific funding to help safety net hospitals with prenatal care.
“This pillar will give our babies and children a fighting chance from day one to have healthier outcomes than those who came before them,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “When children and families are healthy, our communities are healthy. Healthy communities lead to a health state.”
Eliminating racism in health care
The law also allows the Health Facilities and Services Review Board to grant two-month extensions on moratoriums before hospitals in underserved communities can close. It also creates a Health and Human Services Task Force and Anti-Racism Commission to recommend solutions to the longstanding inequities in health care.
“Our goal is to improve the policies by including a racial impact note that allows us to understand the legislation that we’re putting in front of the people of Illinois – that it’s not causing discrimination and challenges for access to health care, just basic needs in life,” Lilly explained.
Illinois is now addressing violence as a public health issue with a plan to study what leads to increased violence in communities and earmark state funds to address the underlying problems.
The law also creates new legal protections for anyone trying to get help for an opioid overdose. In fact, you can no longer be arrested or charged for seeking medical assistance for an overdose.
“Justice isn’t just what happens in a courtroom,” Pritzker said. “Justice is access to economic opportunity, to a great education, and yes, to affordable, quality, personalized health care.”
While lawmakers have passed smaller health reform bills in the past, this law is monumental for Sen. Mattie Hunter. The Chicago Democrat has spent nearly 20 years in Springfield fighting to improve access to care. She also lost both parents to health issues way too soon.
“There’s just a lot of loss in my family and in my life,” Hunter said. “So, today I do now know that there is hope not only for myself but families who suffer from all kinds of health disparities and inequities.”
House GOP: What about the cost?
Republicans worried this law could cost the state $12-15 million annually. Pritzker quickly rejected those projections Tuesday. Although, he didn’t give an exact cost for implementing these changes.
“Today, the governor signed a bill that will cost billions of dollars of fantasy money we just don’t have,” stated House Republican Spokesperson Eleni Demertzis. “Anyone who believes his inaccurate rhetoric on costs of this bill should refer to his false statements on independent redistricting.”
Still, this law did receive support from a Republican in the Senate. Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) said he was proud to support the Health Care and Human Services Reform Act.
“It addresses issues of great importance – health care access, infant and maternal mortality, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and hospital access in low-income and underserved communities. This legislation will go far in addressing racial and other imbalances within the Illinois health care system,” Curran said. “It takes important steps in expanding medical services in our lower income communities.”
Curran also said all children deserve equal access to comprehensive health care services to keep them safe and healthy.
Getting across the finish line
The Democratic leaders of both chambers appeared with sponsors of the plan during the bill signing ceremony. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch emphasized the road to getting the bill to the governor’s desk wasn’t easy. The fight for these reforms came during the height of the pandemic that disproportionately impacted Black and brown families.
“Going back to normal, going back to what we knew before the pandemic, won’t work,” Welch said. “Normal didn’t work for us. It didn’t work for our communities. We can’t go back there.”
Welch said Black, brown and Asian women continue to face disparities while giving birth. He also explained kids don’t receive enduring preventative care or culturally relevant mental health services. As evident throughout the pandemic, seniors also haven’t received equal care for their chronic conditions.
“We have to do better. We can do better, and we will do better starting today,” Welch added.
Senate President Don Harmon stood alongside caucus members as a proud ally.
“In the end, that’s all the caucus needed – allies to stand with you and support your work. I’m here in demonstration of that alliance,” Harmon said. “It’s been an honor to be part of the work you have done and I look forward to our continued achievements.”
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April 28, 2021 at 07:39AM
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Pritzker signs massive health care reform plan to improve access and quality of services - HOI ABC
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