Federal news
New Law Will Require Breastfeeding Rooms in Federal Buildings (FedSmith.com)
“The Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act (H.R. 866) … stipulates that these lactation rooms will be hygienic places provided in addition to the restrooms that are ‘shielded from view’, ‘free from intrusion’ and ‘contains a chair, a working surface, and, if the public building is otherwise supplied with electricity, an electrical outlet.’ ”
Trump abortion rule could hit rural communities hard (The Hill)
“Planned Parenthood, government agencies in blue states and other health providers are expected to tell the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Monday that they will not comply with its new rules banning recipients of Title X family planning funds from referring women for abortions.”
House Democratic chairman launches probe of e-cigarette makers (The Hill)
“…officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with state health officials are currently investigating 94 possible cases of severe lung illnesses linked to vaping among young people in 14 states…”
Senate bill aims to protect taxpayers from costly drugs (Roll Call)
“The proposed changes reflect the fact that drugs are more expensive than when the Medicare drug benefit was first enacted.”
Senate GOP plans to divert health, education funds to border wall (Roll Call)
“Senate Republicans are looking to pay for President Donald Trump’s border wall in part by putting about $5 billion less in the largest domestic spending bill, several people with knowledge of the process said.”
State news
New Illinois laws take aim at high maternal death rates, racial disparities (The State Journal-Register)
This article provides a brief summary of the package of new laws regarding maternal health that were just signed into law. According to the article, “Women also have the right to receive medical information in a language they understand, and to receive information about breastfeeding.”
Pharmacists encouraged by new law regulating pharmacy benefit managers (The State Journal-Register)
Among the provisions of this new law: “The new law will eliminate PBM “gag clauses” that prevent pharmacists from informing patients how they can obtain prescription drugs more cheaply, Reynolds said.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs 129 bills, vetoes three (The Center Square Illinois)
A quick run down of all the bills that were recently signed or vetoed.