Medicaid MCO Standardization and Transparency Rules Filed
As outlined in a July 2 IHA memo, the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has filed both emergency and proposed administrative rules to implement the Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) Standardization and Transparency provisions under Public Act 103-0593. These rules were published in the July 11 issue of the Illinois Register. The proposed rules appear at 49 Ill. Reg. 8871–8872, and the emergency rules are listed at 49 Ill. Reg. 9078–9094. The text of these rules may be found starting on page 9078.
As previously noted, these rules are the result of extensive negotiations between HFS, IHA and other key stakeholders. IHA strongly supports their adoption as filed. Those interested in submitting public comments can submit comments to:
Kathy Hunt Muse
Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services
201 S. Grand Avenue East, Third Floor
Springfield, IL 62763
HFS.Rules@illinois.gov
Comments must be received by Aug. 25, 2025.
Staff contact: Jordan Powell
State Legislative Update
While there are several different groups of advocates calling for the General Assembly to convene in special session to address items like the future of Chicagoland public transit, pension reform, and Chicago Public Schools funding shortfall, currently there appears to be no momentum for lawmakers to return to Springfield before the fall veto session, scheduled for Oct. 14-16 and Oct. 28-30. Gov. JB Pritzker also recently told reporters that he does not anticipate legislators will return to Springfield in response to the recent passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” noting that because most of the provisions in the law do not go into effect until 2026 at the earliest, the bill’s passage does not necessitate an emergency legislative session this summer.
Illinois is now in the midst of bill signing season, with Gov. Pritzker reviewing the hundreds of bills passed by the General Assembly during the spring session. The Governor has 60 days from the date each bill is sent to him to take action on the legislation.
Gov. Pritzker Signs EO Responding to President Trump’s Tariffs
Yesterday, Gov. JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-03, directing state agencies to evaluate the scale and impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on key sectors, including industry and economic development; the medical supply chain; food assistance programs; infrastructure investments; material costs; and emergency supplies. Gov. Pritzker joins other governors including Colorado, New York, Oregon and Washington, who are taking similar executive actions at the state level. Click here to view the Governor’s press release.
IDPH to Host July 17 Fast Phact Session: Children’s Health Agenda
Join the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) this Thursday, June 17, from noon-1 p.m. CT, for the Department’s July “Fast Phact” session, “Back to School, Illinois Children’s Health Agenda!” The webinar will focus on:
- Identifying IDPH child health priorities;
- Illustrating how the BEACON tool may be used by families to connect with behavioral and mental health services for their child; and
- Reviewing key components of the child health examination for school and childcare, including immunizations and lead screening.
Click here for more information, including registration information. Up to one credit hour of Continuing Medical Education credit is available.
IDPH’s Fast Phact series offers clinician-directed, interactive informational sessions in webinar format to raise awareness of emerging and high-impact public health issues that directly involve clinical care or health system considerations. All healthcare professionals are invited to participate.
For more information on how hospitals and health systems can use BEACON, see the IHA Memo.
