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Action Alert - 6/10/03 AIDS Priorities Advanced in 2003 State Legislative Session The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its spring legislative session on June 1, 2003, after addressing a broad range of HIV/AIDS issues. The following describes the multiple budgetary and legislative issues tracked by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) this year. AFC provides the name and sponsors of the legislation, AFC's position on each item, and a short description of the outcome. AFC extends its heartfelt thanks to lawmakers who championed sound AIDS public policy. We also thank the hundreds of Statewide Advocacy Network members who helped make each victory possible. Working together, we are making a difference! The review of HIV-related legislation listed below is broken into four segments: Overview
of Fiscal Year 2004 Budget HIV Prevention Funding: The budget passed by the Illinois General Assembly contains $3 million for HIV prevention services in communities of color. The measure restores the $2 million vetoed last year and increases the appropriation by an additional $1 million. ADAP Funding: The budget maintains state funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program at its FY03 level of $7 million. Despite AFC's efforts to persuade lawmakers to increase state funding, health department officials reported that the higher than expected federal contribution of $23 million, a $2.7 million increase, would allow the program to maintain its current level of operation. Hepatitis C Awareness: The budget contains $600,000 for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to fund hepatitis C awareness programs in Cook County. Office of Rehabilitative Services (ORS): ORS will receive a $56 million increase to assist people with disabilities, including hundreds of people with HIV/AIDS who need in-home assistance. Prior Approval for Medications through Medicaid: AFC worked with the Illinois Department of Public Aid (IDPA) to ensure that the Medicaid budget contained no "prior approval" requirement for HIV-related medications. Under prior approval, physicians or pharmacists must obtain permission from IDPA before Medicaid will cover the cost of certain medications. Family Care: The budget contains $22 million in state funding for Family Care, which extend Medicaid coverage to the parents of KidCare recipients. The state plans to increase funding for Family Care over the next three years until the program is fully implemented. This year's appropriation will allow the state to extend Medicaid coverage to as many as 65,000 families, including hundreds with one or more HIV-positive adult. AFC thanks the National Center on Poverty Law for its tireless advocacy on this issue. Housing: The budget contains $2 million for supportive housing programs, which will allow the state to leverage an additional $41 million in federal funds. State and federal dollars will be used to create 29 supportive housing projects across the state. AFC applauds the Supportive Housing Providers Association for leading advocacy on this issue. Syringe Access/SB 880 (AFC Position: Supports)
Senators: Trotter, Rauschenberger, Ronen, Syverson, Cullerton,
Radogno, Lightford, Link, Hunter Issue - SB 880 allows adults 18 or older to purchase at a pharmacy and possess up to 20 hypodermic syringes or needles without a prescription. AFC thanks members of the Coalition for Responsible Syringe Policy and all other supporters for helping advance this issue. Status - SB 880 passed the Senate on March 24 by a vote of 30-24, and passed the House on May 13 by a vote of 70-48. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. Perinatal HIV Prevention/SB 263 (AFC Position: Supports)
Senators: Obama, Martinez, Munoz, Trotter, Collins, Lauzen, Cullerton,
Hunter Issue - SB 263 requires healthcare workers to provide pregnant patients HIV counseling and offer them HIV testing as early in the pregnancy as possible and during labor and delivery if the woman's HIV status is unknown. Postpartum, healthcare workers must also provide the parents or guardians HIV counseling if the mothers' HIV status remains unknown and conduct HIV testing of the newborn, unless the parents or guardians refuse in writing. AFC thanks Children's Memorial Hospital, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative, and the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago for leading efforts on this issue. Status - HB 263 passed the Senate on April 8 with a vote of 54-0. The bill was amended in the House to contain substantive language and passed on April 14 by a vote of 117-0. The Senate voted to concur with the amendment on May 28 with a vote of 59-0. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. Rapid Testing/SB 1156 (AFC Position: Supports) Senators:
Cullerton, Trotter Issue - SB 1156 directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to promulgate rules to allow for the use of rapid HIV testing technology. Status - SB 1156 passed the Senate on March 20 with a vote of 56-0. The bill was amended in the House and passed that chamber on May 21 by a vote of 115-0. The Senate voted to concur with the amendment on May 29 by a vote of 58-0. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. HIV Testing Awareness/HB 200 (AFC Position: Supports) Senators:
Obama, Garrett, Collins, Hunter, Munoz, Meeks, Sandoval, Trotter Issue - HB 200 directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to implement a public awareness campaign promoting the importance of HIV testing. Status - HB 200 passed the House on February 28 with a vote of 115-0. The bill passed the Senate on March 15 with a vote of 30-14. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. Hepatitis C Awareness/HB 216 (AFC Position: Supports) Senators:
Trotter, Lightford Issue - HB 216 requires the Department of Public Health to develop public education and outreach programs to promote prevention of hepatitis C. Status - HB 216 passed the House on April 3 with a vote of 114-0. The Senate Rules committee failed to act on the bill before the deadline. HIV Prevention in Communities of Color/SB 264 (AFC Position: Supports) Sponsors - Senators: Obama Issue - SB 264 appropriates $4 million for HIV prevention programs and services in communities of color. Status - SB 264, assigned to the Senate Appropriations II Committee, was not called for a hearing. HIV Prevention in Prisons/HB 482 (AFC Position: Supports) Representatives: Flowers, M. Davis, Bailey Issue - HB 482 requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide all inmates with HIV prevention education. It would also make educational materials available to all correctional facility visitors in an attempt to educate the families and friends of inmates. Prior to release, all inmates would be offered HIV counseling, testing, and referrals to appropriate community-based organizations in the event that they test positive. Status - HB 482 passed the House Health Care Availability and Access Committee with a vote of 18-0 on February 13, but was not called for a vote on the House floor. Medically Accurate Sex Ed/SB 99 (AFC Position: Supports) Senators: Ronen, Crotty, Garrett, Martinez, Schoenberg Issue - SB 99 requires that all comprehensive health and sexuality education programs delivered in Illinois public schools be medically accurate. Status - SB 99 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 6 by a vote of 7-4. The bill was not called for a vote on the Senate floor. ADAP Funding/HB2505 (AFC Position: Supports) Representatives: Osterman, Feigenholtz, McKeon, Colvin Issue - HB 2505 increases funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program by $6 million. Status - HB 2505 was assigned to the House Human Services Appropriations Committee but was not scheduled for a hearing. Contraceptive Coverage/HB 211 (AFC Position: Supports) Senators:
Martinez, Ronen, Schoenberg, del Valle, Garrett, Trotter, Collins,
Halvorson, Link, Cullerton, Lightford, Hendon, Harmon, Hunter Issue - HB 211 prohibits insurance companies that provide coverage for prescription drugs from excluding contraceptive drugs and devices from that coverage. AFC applauds the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council for its leadership on this issue. Sponsor - HB 211 passed the Illinois House by a vote of 73-36 on February 28. The bill was amended in the Senate and passed on May 16 by a vote of 34-23. The House voted to concur with the amendment on May 28 by a vote of 72-39. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. Medicaid Access/HB 685 (AFC Position: Supports) Senators:
Link Issue - HB 685 was amended to allow Medicaid recipients or a third party to pre-pay their monthly spend down requirements much like insurance premiums. AFC applauds Health and Disability Advocates and the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago for their efforts to pass this bill. Status - HB 685 was amended in the Senate and passed by a vote of 38-15 on May 9. The House concurred with the amended version by a vote of 116-0 on May 29. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. Universal Health Care/HB 2268 (AFC Position: Supports) Representatives:
Delgado, Flowers, Giles, Collins, M. Davis, McKeon, Brosnahan, Kelly,
Jakobsson, Ryg, Osterman, W. Davis, Soto Issue - HB 2268 moves Illinois towards universal access to healthcare by directing state government to implement a healthcare plan that provides access to a full range of preventive, acute, and long-term healthcare services. The bill also establishes the Bipartisan Health Care Reform Commission with members appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. AFC applauds the Campaign for Better Health Care for its leadership on this issue. Status - HB 2268 passed the House by a vote of 60-45 on April 1. It passed the Senate Insurance and Pensions Committee by a vote of 6-4 on April 29. The deadline for the final Senate vote on the bill has been extended to December 31, 2003. Medicare Pharmacy Access/SB 3, HB 209 (AFC Position: Supports) Senator:
Halvorson Issue - SB 3 and HB 209 both create a program for seniors and the disabled on Medicare to purchase prescription drugs at a discounted rate through the State. Status - SB 3 passed the Senate on April 8 with a vote of 56-0. It passed the House on May 20 by 115-0. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. HB 209 passed the House on April 4 by 118 - 0 and passed the Senate on May 15 by of 57-0. The bill is awaiting action by Gov. Blagojevich. Human Rights/SB 101, HB101 (AFC Position: Supports) Senators:
Ronen, E. Jones, Cullerton, Harmon, Obama, Trotter, Martinez, Hunter,
Lightford, Schoenberg Issue - SB 101 and HB 101 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, housing, credit, and access to public accommodation. AFC applauds Equality Illinois for its leadership on this issue. Status - HB 101 was introduced but not considered by the House. SB 101 passed the Senate Executive Committee by a vote of 8-4 on February 28. The deadline for final Senate consideration of the bill has been extended until December 31, 2003. |
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