Senate Democrats push measures to make health care more accessible
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SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus outlined their plans to make health care more accessible through proposals to cap the cost of EpiPens, make hearing aids free-of-charge, and help patients find the most cost effective avenues to care.
Epinephrine Auto-Injectors are the only medication that works on the entire body to combat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. However, since 2017, a global shortage of these devices has made this medication increasingly difficult to obtain. That’s why State Senator Mike Halpin is leading House Bill 3639 to limit the EpiPens to a maximum of $60 per twin-pack.
“This is a major victory for families struggling to afford this life-saving medication,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With corporate profits at an all-time high, it’s time to say enough is enough. People’s lives shouldn’t depend on whether or not they can come up with $500.”
Read more: Senate Democrats push measures to make health care more accessible
Morrison measure to ban e-cigarettes indoors heads to the governor
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SPRINGFIELD – Taking another step toward making Illinois smoke free, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to ban vaping inside public buildings.
“There’s absolutely no reason a person – from a pregnant woman to a young child – should be exposed to harmful e-cigarette products while in public,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s about time we set a clear standard that protects non-smokers and further de-normalizes tobacco use.”
In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes – like vapes – has increased tremendously, leading Morrison to pass House Bill 1540 to ban the use of e-cigarettes indoors. Her measure – which now heads to the governor – expands upon the Smoke Free Illinois Act, putting Illinois in line with 17 other states that have banned the use of e-cigarettes indoors.
Read more: Morrison measure to ban e-cigarettes indoors heads to the governor
Peters creates Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act
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SPRINGFIELD – To increase the baseline financial penalty for civil rights violations, State Senator Robert Peters championed a measure to create the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act.
“Business enterprises receiving federal funds should not be immune to the consequences of discriminating against people,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Protecting businesses from punishment when they knowingly commit discriminatory acts goes against Illinois values.”
House Bill 2248 was created in response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller, P.L.L.C. that ruled emotional distress damages are not recoverable in a private action under the anti-discrimination provisions of either the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Read more: Peters creates Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act
Hunter advances bill to track SNAP benefit fraud in Illinois
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SPRINGFIELD — To gain an understanding of the scope and frequency of SNAP benefit fraud in Illinois, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a bill through committee granting the Illinois Department of Human Services the authority to collect data on these stolen benefits within the state.
"The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of SNAP benefits in ensuring that families have access to the food they need,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “However, fraud threatens the integrity of this critical program.”
House Bill 2214 allows IDHS to track how often benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are stolen from their rightful recipients. SNAP participants receive monthly benefits for groceries deposited onto EBT cards, and in recent months, card skimming has increased significantly in many states. IDHS began collecting data on card skimming and other fraud methods in December 2022, making it unclear how much theft had previously occurred. Under this measure, IDHS will be required to report its findings to the General Assembly annually beginning on Jan. 1, 2024.
Read more: Hunter advances bill to track SNAP benefit fraud in Illinois
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