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As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers – an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs – multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. […]
Attendees at recent committee hearings referenced House Bill 4548, which aims to change Illinois’ insurance law so state government can better regulate PBMs. Proposed changes include having PBMs disclose the net cost of drugs covered by a health benefit plan, and restricting PBMs from ushering patients toward using pharmacies owned by associated companies.
Last year’s audit recommended consistent monitoring of PBMs, including requiring an annual report, which is outlined in HB 4548. The bill also outlines measures requiring PBMs to pay pharmacies a dispensing fee and reimburse them at a rate equal to the national average drug acquisition cost dictated by Medicaid.
The bill remains in a procedural committee in the House, making it unlikely to pass by the General Assembly’s end-of-May adjournment.
* WAND…
Student teachers in Illinois could soon be paid for their work. Sponsors and advocates believe this change would be a great way to recruit and retain future teachers.
A plan moving in the House would require the Illinois Board of Higher Education to distribute a stipend of up to $10,000 per semester for student teachers.
Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) told the House Higher Education Committee Wednesday that there are currently 5,400 student teachers across the state. Advocates estimate the new stipend program could cost between $54-$60 million. […]
House Bill 4652 passed out of the House Higher Education Committee on a partisan 8-4 vote and now heads to the House floor.
* WGEM…
Illinois insurance companies may soon be required to coverall medical necessary colonoscopies.
The state Senate Insurance Committee unanimously passed a bill requiring colonoscopy coverage beginning in 2026. Insurers are currently only required to cover the procedure if it’s part of a follow-up exam recommended by a primary care physician. The bill would require coverage if a patient displays signs or symptoms of colon cancer or has an existing colon condition regardless of age. […]
The bill now heads to the Senate floor. The state House of Representatives passed the bill on April 19 with broad bipartisan support.
Senate Bill 3592, dubbed the Strengthening Community Media Act, passed the Democratic-controlled Senate 43-13, mostly along partisan lines, on April 17, and headed to the House floor after passing a House committee May 1 on an 18-8 vote. […]
The legislation would create state-funded college scholarships for students pledging to work at local news organizations in Illinois for at least two years after graduation and require 120 days prior notice before local newspapers can be sold to out-of-state companies.
Senate Bill 3591, titled the Journalism Preservation Act, would require online platforms such as Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to pay fees to newspapers and other media organizations when linking to, displaying or otherwise presenting digital news content. […]
SB 3591 hadn’t received any votes in the House or Senate as of May 7, but still could be considered in the waning days of the session, according to bill sponsor Steve Stadelman, a Democrat from the suburban Rockford community of Loves Park.
* Sen. Natalie Toro…
To reduce the risk of unnecessary violent confrontations between law enforcement and people with autism, State Senator Natalie Toro introduced legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training. […]
While people with autism may be able to manage their communication differences or behavioral challenges with supports at school, work or in their daily lives, they may experience unique challenges when interacting with the police. Without proper training on how some people with autism communicate, law enforcement may interpret their behavior as being noncompliant with questioning or instructions. This has caused interactions between law enforcement and autistic individuals to escalate quickly, resulting in unnecessary use of force, trauma or death.
Law enforcement data suggests people with disabilities are seven times more likely to have encounters with the police, making their understanding of how to best approach interactions with autistic individuals essential. Senate Bill 3201 would require law enforcement to go through training on autism-informed responses, as well as best procedures and techniques when engaging with autistic individuals. The legislation requires all permanent and part-time law enforcement officers and correction officers to complete this training every two years. […]
Senate Bill 3201 passed the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on Wednesday. It now goes before the full Senate for further discussion.
* WAND…
Illinois is one step closer to cracking down on the latest style of electronic cigarettes designed to look like highlighters, erasers and other school supplies.
State lawmakers want to ban vaping companies from advertising, marketing or promoting e-cigs that could confuse parents or teachers into thinking the devices are common items. […]
The legislation would be enforced by the Illinois Department of Revenue, Attorney General and local law enforcement.
Senate Bill 2662 passed unanimously out of the House Executive Committee Wednesday. The proposal now moves to the House floor for further consideration.
* KHQA…
In an effort to help working parents across Illinois, state Senator Jil Tracy and Representative Randy Frese have teamed up to create a bill that would authorize daycare centers to operate for 24-hours.
Senate bill 3207 would not only allow daycare centers to operate 24/7, but also provide care for up to 12 hours if a parent of the child is employed in a position that requires regularly scheduled shifts.
According to Senator Tracy, the inspiration behind this bill came from the request of a Quincy daycare provider that would like the option to provide a 24-hour service. […]
Senate bill 3207 would direct DCFS to adopt new rules that allow childcare centers to operate 24/7 and help working families across the state.
The bill passed the Senate with support on both sides of the aisle and now heads to the House for a final vote.
* Sen. Julie Morrison…
Private drones flown over public parks, sports games and sensitive wildlife has created the need for regulation. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a measure to give local governments the authority to adopt reasonable rules for the airspace over their public park property. […]
House Bill 4715 would allow local governments to adopt reasonable rules for use of the airspace over their public park property by private drones. This applies only to publicly owned property that is used for recreational or conservation purposes.
Morrison’s measure also includes an exception for drones used by commercial users with connection to infrastructure such as railroads and utilities.
House Bill 4715 passed the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday and moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
…Adding… HB5426 would extend the live theater production tax credit…
Every year we see something new in the legislature. Today in Revenue Committee we were surprised with a live performance in support of tax credits for the theater industry in Illinois. pic.twitter.com/fu1TwIEU9d
— Rep. Daniel Didech (@RepDidech) May 9, 2024
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 8:43 am
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This quote is related to a different piece of legislation but is still a very valid statement regarding teacher recruitment and retention.
The Jacksonville superintendent, Steve Ptacek, said this won’t help district find quality teachers, saying in a statement quote:
I do not think that this will help us in finding quality teachers. This is the absolute wrong response from our legislators. There are multiple reasons we have seen a dramatic reduction in teacher candidates, but the most important is that our government continues to facilitate a hostile work environment for educators by removing any sense of parent and student accountability.
Comment by Grimlock Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 10:19 am
- but the most important is that our government continues to facilitate a hostile work environment for educators by removing any sense of parent and student accountability. -
Could the esteemed educator possibly provide some examples? I have no idea what he’s talking about.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 10:51 am
Henceforth, all testimony will be sung, or it will be stricken from the record.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 11:02 am
“…allow daycare centers to operate 24/7…”
Daycare centers already have a challenge finding qualified staff. They are cutting hours and closing. It is nice that at least one center asked to be allowed. It is a benefit to allow it, but there are many challenges.
Comment by Two left feet Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 11:03 am
I heard that a performance of Our American Cousin was considered, but cooler heads prevailed and they went with this instead.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 11:11 am
—I do not think that this will help us in finding quality teachers.
I’m interested in what the specifics of your statement includes, but this particular bill is very much a critical aspect to recruiting folks from lower income backgrounds to teaching. Asking someone to work what amounts to a full time job without income is a barrier for many low-income students. It doesn’t mean it solves all of the problems but it does solve one problem.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 11:28 am
Good luck with that pharmacy bill.
If you’re eligible for Medicare, drugs are somewhat affordable.
My daughter has diabetes and has to pay 800 out of pocket monthly for her meds.
We’ve been talking about affordable healthcare/prescription drugs in this country in earnest since the 80’s…and not a lot has changed.
Pharmaceutical companies are raking in huge profits.
I have a home in Portage MI down the road from Pfizer.
They have just completed a mammoth addition to their”campus”.
I’m sure the expansion was underwritten by the COVID vaccine. I’m grateful for their quick work on generating the vaccine, but I can only imagine what it added to their bottom line.
Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 11:29 am
Loop Lady–all true, but I will point to one spot of good news–the FTC has been cracking down on some of the bogus patents for rescue inhalers and I think they are looking at some of the same issues with diabetes meds.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 11:38 am
The Teach USA program allows foreign nationals to teach in K-12 schools for up to 3 years. The J-1 visa allows qualified educators to teach in K-12 schools for up to 5 years.
According to Education Week, the greatest number of teachers are from the Philippines, Spain, Jamaica, China, and France. Around 19,491 teachers from 114 countries taught in the US.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 12:13 pm
I am curious how a paid student teaching gig will increase the number of teachers.
It might make more sense to use these resources to improve the experience by making resources available to local schools.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 1:43 pm
===they may experience unique challenges when interacting with the police. […] law enforcement may interpret their behavior as being noncompliant with questioning or instructions. This has caused interactions between law enforcement and autistic individuals to escalate quickly, resulting in unnecessary use of force, trauma or death.===
This is literally my worst nightmare as the parent of an autistic child. This is what I lie awake worrying about at 3 a.m.
Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, May 9, 24 @ 2:19 pm