What’s AFC up to in Springfield? 2013 Legislative Session Update

AFC works hard in Springfield to enact sound HIV/AIDS policies. This year, with the help of advocates like you, we  passed all three of our target bills! Read more about these bills below.

Current Issues (more information after the jump):

  • Other Legislative Matters – Marriage Equality, Medical Marijuana, State-Run Health Insurance Marketplaces, and Affordable Care Act Navigator Regulations

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SB 26 – Medicaid for Low-Income, Uninsured Illinoisans (Senator Heather Steans, D-Chicago, and Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago)

Bill Status: This bill passed the Senate on February 28, 2013 by a vote of 40-19. It passed the House by a vote of 63-55 on May 27, and on May 28 the Senate concurred on the two amendments added in the House. Updated 6/04/13.

Illinois has the opportunity to use its Medicaid program to support 342,000 low-income, highly vulnerable, uninsured individuals, including thousands of people living with HIV. Anyone who earns up to 133% of the federal poverty level, or about $15,282 annually, would be eligible to enroll in Medicaid.

This change will be supported 100% with federal dollars for the first several years, and federal support will never drop below 90%. This important legislation will help the Illinois economy, making health systems stronger and more cost-effective, while ensuring hardworking Illinois residents have access to care.

Click here to see status updates and read the bill.

Click here to see how your Representative voted on SB 26. Click here to see how your Senator voted on SB 26.

To learn more, click on any of the materials below to download information about SB 26.

Read the stories of advocates who lobbied in Springfield for the new Medicaid!

Read more about how the New Medicaid will affect people living with HIV/AIDS on HIVHealthReform.org!

 

 

 

HB 61 – Principal Notification of HIV Positive Students (Representative La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago and Sen. Iris Martinez, D-Chicago)

Bill Status: This bill passed the full House on March 7, 2013 by a vote of 61-55-1, and passed out of the Senate by a vote of 38-13 on May 23, 2013.  Updated 5/28/13.

An outdated law from 1989 makes Illinois the only state in the country in which health authorities must notify school principals the names of HIV-positive students. These principals can then share this information with other school personnel, which puts student privacy at risk and could be a violation of the AIDS Confidentiality Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

HB 61 would repeal this law, allowing students and parents to disclose to people they deem necessary for medical reasons. Schools already put into place precautions for blood-borne diseases, and we know today that HIV cannot be transmitted
through biting, fighting, sports, or other school situations.

Click here to read the bill.

Click here to see how your Representative voted. Click here to see how your Senator voted.

To learn more, click on any of the materials below to download information about HB 61.

 

 

 

 

HB 2675 – Comprehensive Sexual Health Education for Illinois Students (Representative Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, and Senator Heather Steans, D-Chicago)

Bill Status: This bill passed out of the Illinois House by a vote of 66-52 on Wednesday, April 18 and out of the Senate by a vote of 38-13 on May 23, 2013. Updated 5/28/13.

This bill requires that if a public school chooses to teach sexual health education, then the program must be medically accurate and developmentally and age appropriate. It does not apply to private or religious schools, nor does it require specific lesson plans, activities, or materials.

HB 2675 includes information on reducing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, stresses abstinence, and applies to grades 6-12. With young people accounting for 39% of all new HIV infections, this bill is a valuable tool to provide students with the information and ability to prevent the spread of HIV.

To learn more, click on the fact sheets below.

Click here to see how your Illinois House Representative voted on HB 2675. Click here to see how your Illinois Senator voted.

Click here to read AFC’s press release on the House action to pass HB 2675.

Click here to read the bill.

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Other Legislative Matters

Marriage Equality (SB 10) – Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) & Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)

Although Illinois lawmakers failed this session to pass SB 10, which would make Illinois the 13th state to embrace marriage equality. Legislative leaders and the community pledge to continue the fight. Click here to read here what David Ernesto Munar, President/CEO of AFC, said about the matter and the struggle for equality.

Medical Marijuana Bill (HB 01) – Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) & Sen. William Haine (D-Alton)

Legislation was approved by the General Assembly that would allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients with serious illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, sending the measure to Gov. Quinn.

State-run Marketplace (HB 3227) – Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) & Robin Gabel (D-Evanston)

House Bill 3227 creates online health insurance marketplaces that will allow individuals, families, and small business employees to shop for health coverage. AFC opposed the legislation base on the poor consumer protections in the bill.

ACA Navigator Regulations (SB 1194) – Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) & Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley)

Senate Bill 1194 would have created overly restrictive criteria for organizations applying for and performing navigator functions.  AFC, consumer advocates and community–based providers recognized these issues, and successfully lobbied state legislators to make changes in the bill.