By Indigo Quashie
Timothy S. Jackson, Director of Government Relations, State Senator Mike Simmons, and State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy following live committee vote
SPRINGFIELD – On March 23rd, 2022, HB4430: Increasing Access to PrEP & PEP Through Community Pharmacies was passed by the Senate Executive Committee on a bipartisan vote of 14-2! Sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) and State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy (D-Chicago), HB4430 is making its way through the legislative process. Earlier this month, HB4430 passed out of the Illinois House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 71-24. HB4430 will next be called on the Senate floor for a vote.
HB 4430 is critical legislation that would allow Illinois pharmacists to administer and dispense HIV prevention medications, PrEP and PEP, under a standing order of a licensed physician. Improving access to these life-saving preventative medications, especially to the Black, Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by HIV, is a critical step in ending the HIV epidemic in Illinois.
AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) is proud to push for legislation that allows individuals to take charge of their own care in their communities. People living with or impacted by HIV, especially Black, Latinx and LGBTQ+ individuals, are faced with various barriers like accessing proper healthcare, discrimination and medical mistrust. It is important that these impacted communities are given the agency to seek resources and support in ways they feel comfortable.
As we enter the last two weeks of the legislative session, we need your help to get HB4430 across the finish line! With your help, we can expand access to PrEP and PEP and advance the state plan to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by connecting those who would most benefit from PrEP and PEP services to HIV preventative care.
Please contact your state legislators and ask them to support HB4430. You can email or tweet your state legislators using our Action center found here.
