Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB2268

Creates the Health Care Justice Act. Provides that the State of Illinois shall implement a health care plan that provides access to a full range of preventive, acute, and long-term health care services. Establishes the Bipartisan Health Care Reform Commission with members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. Provides for public hearings and a report by the Commission. Requires a preliminary report by February 1, 2005 and a final report by February 1, 2006. Effective immediately.

Provides that the Secretary of Human Services or his designee shall serve on the Health Care Reform Commission. Provides for the legislative leaders to each appoint one member, rather than 2, to the Commission. Provides for the Governor to appoint 21, rather than 15, members of the Commission. Provides that funding for a study by an independent research entity shall be subject to appropriation or availability of other funds. Provides that the Commission's recommendations shall be considered by the General Assembly as the basis for a health care access plan, rather than the recommendations forming the basis for a health care access plan.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Health Care Justice Act, containing provisions similar to those of House Bill 2268 but with changes that include the following: (1) provides that it is a policy goal (instead of the policy) of the State to ensure that all residents have access to quality health care at costs that are affordable; (2) provides that the State is strongly encouraged (instead of required) to implement a health care access plan, and change the contents of such a plan; (3) provides for an Adequate Health Care Task Force (instead of a Bipartisan Health Care Reform Commission) to seek public input on the development of the State's health care access plan; (4) requires a final report by March 15 (instead of February 1), 2006, and changes certain items required to be included in the recommendations accompanying the final report; and (5) provides that no later than December 31, 2006, the General Assembly is strongly encouraged to vote on legislation that either enacts the Task Force's recommendation or provides for another health care access plan. Effective July 1, 2004.

Deletes certain findings. Increases the number of voting members of the Task Force from 19 to 29 and provides that each of the 4 legislative leaders shall appoint 6 of the members and the Governor shall appoint 5 of the members. Provides that the Director of Public Health, the Director of Aging, the Director of Public Aid, the Director of Insurance, and the Secretary of Human Services or their designees shall represent their respective departments and shall be invited to attend Task Force meetings, but shall not be members of the Task Force.

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