* Former Speaker Michael Madigan has co-sponsored only one bill so far, and it’s this one…

The Your Care Can’t Wait Coalition, a group of healthcare and patient advocacy organizations, announced their support of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. The comprehensive, bipartisan bill was introduced today in the Illinois House of Representatives (House Bill 711) to address patient and physician concerns about the bureaucratic delays caused by the prior authorization processes used by state-regulated health insurance plans. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Illinois Senate (Senate Bill 177) on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

“The pandemic has only exacerbated the issues that physicians and other healthcare professionals face in delivering patient care,” said Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) President Robert W. Panton, MD. “Before COVID-19, more than a thousand Illinois physicians responded to an ISMS survey and the vast majority expressed frustration about the harms caused to patients by this cumbersome prior authorization system.”

“We need to remove artificial barriers so patients get the treatments they need, and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for doctors and other medical professionals. People should get the best quality care, whether it is physical health or behavioral health services, according to the best scientific standards and we need to cut through the red tape,” said House Majority Leader Gregory Harris (D-Chicago).

The use of prior authorization has exploded in recent years as a cost-cutting measure by health plans, at the expense of patient care.
“Patients are left in limbo for days or weeks before they can begin receiving needed care – even some cancer patients,” remarked Deputy House Republican Leader Tom Demmer (R-Dixon). “It’s heartbreaking and cruel to the patients waiting to know whether the life-saving treatments their doctor has ordered will be covered.”

The Prior Authorization Reform Act will establish consistent timelines so patients don’t have to worry about decision-making delays causing further damage to their health. The legislation will also make sure prior authorization requirements are based on medical evidence and administered by qualified individuals.

“Our bill defines who can review and make prior authorization decisions, because only qualified medical professionals should be making determinations about patient care,” explained Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

This legislation also removes the possibility that an insurance company can later deny payment for medical care that they previously approved. “We’ve all heard stories of patients who received surprise medical bills for treatment the insurance company said they would cover,” said Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-West Dundee). “Under the Prior Authorization Reform Act, the insurance companies will have to honor their commitments to the patients and care team.”

“It’s time to make prior authorization work for the people of Illinois. We don’t want to abolish it altogether, but it desperately needs to be reformed,” concluded Dr. Panton. “Our message to Illinois patients is simple: Your care can’t wait!”

* WIFR on an odd couple…

Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) wrote an opinion editorial form together over their shared interest in protections against exploitative loans on Monday.

You can read the opinion editorial in its entirety below.

“We are two legislators who don’t agree on a lot.

One of us is a Chicago Democrat who co-chairs the Illinois House Progressive Caucus. The other is a Northwest Illinois Republican who is a firebrand for Conservative causes.

Despite these obvious ideological differences, this summer we joined forces on an issue that matters deeply to both of us: curbing excessive interest rates on payday loans.

A payday loan is a short-term loan that is supposed to be meant to keep a family afloat until the next paycheck comes in. It is intended to be a tool of last resort for people whose backs are against the wall.

The payday lending industry knows their customer base are desperate, and they have been insufficiently prevented from taking advantage of that desperation. Payday loans could be issued at annualized interests rates over 400 percent.

* Press release…

As Illinois faces an economic and public health crisis, a racial and economic justice crisis, and a crisis of utility corruption, leaders of the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) today announced the reintroduction of the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) with a pledge to pass the comprehensive legislation in the General Assembly by May 2021.

With a new Biden administration pursuing rapid federal action on the climate crisis, a clean jobs champion serving as the new Speaker of the Illinois House, and CEJA champions taking over leadership of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the urgency and opportunity to pass CEJA is at an all-time high.

More than a year ago, Governor Pritzker committed to passing community-driven clean energy legislation that would create jobs and protect our planet. In his 2020 State of the State address, Gov. Pritzker said, “It’s time to put consumers and climate first. I’m not going to sign a bill written by the utility companies.”

In fact, Illinois and Oregon are the only states in the country led by Democrats that haven’t committed to 100% clean energy by 2050. CEJA changes all of that.

CEJA would hold utilities accountable and move Illinois to 100 percent clean energy by 2050, by drawing billions of dollars in renewable energy investment to Illinois, expanding money-saving efficiency programs, and promoting vehicle electrification. CEJA would spark tens of thousands of clean energy jobs without raising taxes, hiking power bills, or giving bailouts to Exelon or fossil fuel companies.

“The days of the big utility companies meeting in back rooms to shape energy policy to benefit their bottom lines are over. CEJA is a product of the most grassroots-intensive energy policy development effort in the history of Illinois. It was put together after over 100 ‘Listen. Lead. Share.’ community meetings were held across the state. As a result of this grassroots effort, the bill addresses head on the issues most important to communities: it tackles climate change, creates equitable jobs in every part of Illinois, and holds utilities accountable. This is what the people of Illinois want, and we’re working to make it happen on behalf of all Illinois communities,” said State Rep. Ann Williams, House sponsor of CEJA and chair of the House Energy & Environment Committee.

“While we are heartened by President Biden’s leadership on climate change, only the states can ensure the benefits of clean energy policy flow equitably to communities of color often left behind, support the development of rooftop solar and energy efficiency programs, hold utilities accountable, deploy electric vehicles, and support a just transition for former fossil fuel communities. CEJA is the most comprehensive energy bill that tackles all these issues, and without it, President Biden cannot achieve his ambitious climate change goals. Illinois must lead the way,” said State Sen. Cristina Castro, Senate sponsor of CEJA.

As demonstrated in the recent lame duck session, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is a key force for change in Springfield. Black Caucus Chairs Sen. Robert Peters and Rep. Kam Buckner, as well as Joint Caucus Chair Rep. Sonya Harper, are all strong supporters of the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

“We don’t just want electric vehicle charging stations, rooftop and community solar, and energy efficiency projects completed in Black neighborhoods and communities. We want Black workers installing them, and we want Black-owned businesses designing the projects and getting them built. Chicago should be at the forefront of moving from the Rust Belt to a Green Belt. Clean energy must become an engine of safety and stability in our communities, and CEJA is the only comprehensive energy bill that delivers on that promise,” said State Sen. Robert Peters, Senate chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.