Manar proposal to crack down on out-of-control PBMs signed into law

Relief is on the way for independent, rural pharmacies

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) that would provide relief for independent, rural pharmacies was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker Friday.

Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, which negotiate drug prices on behalf of insurers, are currently using their position to drive up prices and eliminate competition, putting local pharmacies at a disadvantage.

House Bill 465 includes several provisions that will impose Illinois’ first ever oversight on PBMs, including:

• Eliminating the gag clause that prevents pharmacists from suggesting lower cost prescriptions to patients;
• Preventing consumers entering the emergency room from being denied coverage; and
• Improving pricing transparency and saving state money by requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to approve contracts that impact the state’s Medicaid program.

Read more: Manar proposal to crack down on out-of-control PBMs signed into law

Glowiak Hilton’s measure to fight human trafficking now law

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Illinois now has a new law in place to help some of the people who have the most power to fight one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in the world: Hospitality workers.

Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) championed House Bill 3101, which would require hotels and motels to train employees to recognize the signs of human trafficking and know what to do when reporting it to authorities. It was signed into law on Friday.

“This new law will arm hospitality workers with the tools to spot and report human trafficking,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Just like we have discovered that teachers or hairdressers can be the ones who most readily spot the telltale signs of domestic violence, we’re learning that hotel employees might be the ones who spot human trafficking. This new training will give hospitality workers the knowledge and build the confidence to be able to identify signs of human trafficking and act quickly to do the right thing.”

Read more: Glowiak Hilton’s measure to fight human trafficking now law

Martinez law works to protect students from sexual abuse

SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) will overhaul the manner in which sexual assault investigations involving students are conducted.

Martinez passed the legislation out of the Senate this year as a bipartisan effort to address the issue of educator misconduct in classrooms across the state.

“The importance of protecting our children is an issue we can all agree on, no matter our political party,” Martinez said. “The report released last year was shocking, and I am thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to work on a solution. Students should be able to feel safe at school.”

Lawmakers began working on a solution after a Chicago Tribune article published late last year detailed a series of stories regarding children being harassed or abused during their time as students at Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Read more: Martinez law works to protect students from sexual abuse

Collins and Flowers’ plan to fight maternal and infant mortality signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jacqueline Collins issued the following statement today as Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the remaining pieces of legislation in a plan by her and State Rep. Mary Flowers to reduce rising infant and maternal mortality rates:

“It’s fitting that this action comes the day after Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and mere days before Women’s Equality Day, because this is another stark reminder of how systemic bias harms not only women, but the many lives that a woman’s life touches,” Collins said. “When women of color’s medical concerns are ignored, their families pay the price.”

Read more: Collins and Flowers’ plan to fight maternal and infant mortality signed into law