(305 ILCS 60/40)

Sec. 40. Administration.

(a) The Department shall oversee the administration of the program. The Department, in consultation with interested stakeholders, shall determine the appropriate process for review of referrals and enrollment of qualifying children.

(b) The Department shall appoint an individual or entity to serve as program manager or an alternative position to assess level-of-care and target-population criteria for the program. The Department shall ensure that the individual or entity meets the criteria for demonstrated expertise in pediatric palliative care that the Department, in consultation with interested stakeholders, may establish by rule. The process for review of referrals and enrollment of qualifying children shall not include unnecessary delays and shall reflect the fact that treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms represents an urgent need for children with a serious illness. The process shall also acknowledge that children with a serious illness and their families require holistic and seamless care.

(Source: P.A. 102-655, eff. 1-1-22.)