SB2985 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 37784 RPS 67913 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2985

Introduced 1/31/2024, by Sen. Sue Rezin

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 375/6.17 new
215 ILCS 5/356z.71 new
305 ILCS 5/5-52 new

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Prohibits the State from applying for any federal waiver that would reduce or eliminate any protection or coverage required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) that was in effect on January 1, 2017, including, but not limited to, any protection for persons with preexisting conditions and coverage for services identified as essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Provides that the State or an agency of the executive branch may apply for such a waiver only if granted authorization by the General Assembly through joint resolution. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Prohibits the State from applying for any federal waiver that would permit an individual or group health insurance plan to reduce or eliminate any protection or coverage required under the Affordable Care Act that was in effect on January 1, 2017, including, but not limited to, any protection for persons with preexisting conditions and coverage for services identified as essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Provides that the State or an agency of the executive branch may apply for such a waiver only if granted authorization by the General Assembly through joint resolution. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Prohibits the State or an agency of the executive branch from applying for any federal Medicaid waiver that would result in more restrictive standards, methodologies, procedures, or other requirements than those that were in effect in Illinois as of January 1, 2017 for the Medical Assistance Program, the Children's Health Insurance Program, or any other medical assistance program in Illinois operating under any existing federal waiver authorized by specified provisions of the Social Security Act. Provides that the State or an agency of the executive branch may apply for such a waiver only if granted authorization by the General Assembly through joint resolution. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 is amended by adding Section 6.17 as follows:

(5 ILCS 375/6.17 new)

Sec. 6.17. Waiver application prohibitions.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, except as specified in subsection (b), the State shall not apply for any federal waiver that would reduce or eliminate any protection or coverage required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) that was in effect on January 1, 2017, including, but not limited to, any protection for persons with preexisting conditions and coverage for services identified as essential health benefits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

(b) The State or an agency of the executive branch may apply for such a waiver only if the General Assembly, by joint resolution approved by a majority of each house prior to the submission of such a waiver application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, authorizes the State or an agency of the executive branch to apply for such a federal waiver.

Section 10. The Illinois Insurance Code is amended by adding Section 356z.71 as follows:

(215 ILCS 5/356z.71 new)

Sec. 356z.71. Waiver application prohibitions.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, except as specified in subsection (b), the State shall not apply for any federal waiver that would permit an individual or group health insurance plan to reduce or eliminate any protection or coverage required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) that was in effect on January 1, 2017, including, but not limited to, any protection for persons with preexisting conditions and coverage for services identified as essential health benefits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

(b) The State or an agency of the executive branch may apply for such a waiver only if the General Assembly, by joint resolution approved by a majority of each house prior to the submission of such a waiver application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, authorizes the State or an agency of the executive branch to apply for such a federal waiver.

Section 15. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 5-52 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-52 new)

Sec. 5-52. Waiver application prohibitions.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, except as specified in subsection (b), the State or an agency of the executive branch shall not apply for any federal Medicaid waiver that would result in more restrictive standards, methodologies, procedures, or other requirements than those that were in effect in Illinois as of January 1, 2017 for: (i) the Medical Assistance Program, as authorized under this Code and Title XIX of the Social Security Act; (ii) the Children's Health Insurance Program, as authorized under the Children's Health Insurance Program Act and Title XXI of the Social Security Act; or (iii) any other medical assistance program in Illinois that is operating under any existing federal waiver authorized under Section 1115 or Section 1915 of the Social Security Act.

(b) The State or an agency of the executive branch may apply for such a waiver only if the General Assembly, by joint resolution approved by a majority of each house prior to the submission of such a waiver application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, authorizes the State or an agency of the executive branch to apply for such a federal waiver.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.