Federal
Soon, we’ll have a Republican presidential administration, as well as a Republican majority in the House and Senate. Legislative priorities will likely remain unclear until Trump’s cabinet is officially in place. To learn more about the nominated cabinet members, including their beliefs, organizational ties, campaign donations, and track records, considering exploring some of the resources below. In particular, you may want to read up on the nominated Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr..
Articles
AJLabs. (2024, November 24). Who are Trump’s picks for his cabinet and administration? Al Jazeera. Access here.
Dorn, S., & Pequeño, A., IV. (2024, December 12). Trump’s cabinet and key jobs: Kari Lake, Jacob Helberg and Leandro Rizzuto Jr. are latest picks. Forbes. Access here.
Gómez, F., O’Keefe, E., Garrett, M., Yilek, C., & Tin, A. (2024, November 15). Trump will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS secretary. CBS News. Access here.
Tin, A. (2024, November 14). What is “Make America Healthy Again”? What to know about Trump and RFK Jr.’s wide-ranging platform. CBS News. Access here.
Resources
LittleSis: Public Accountability Initiative
Illinois
HB5355 – NONOPIOID ALTERNATIVES ACT – Creates the Nonopioid Alternatives for Pain Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and publish an educational pamphlet regarding the use of nonopioid alternatives for pain treatment. Provides that a health care practitioner shall exercise professional judgment in selecting appropriate treatment modalities for pain in accordance with specified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including the use of nonopioid alternatives whenever nonopioid alternatives exist. Requires a health care practitioner who prescribes an opioid drug to provide certain information to the patient, discuss certain topics, and document the reasons for the prescription. Requires the Department to develop a nonopioid directive form for patients. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions, execution of a nonopioid directive, opioid administration to a patient with a nonopioid directive, and limitations of liability.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that when a licensed health care practitioner prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of acute pain, it shall be unlawful for a health insurance issuer to deny coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug or to require the patient to try an opioid prescription drug before providing coverage. Provides that in establishing and maintaining its drug formulary, a health insurance issuer shall ensure that no nonopioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment or management of pain shall be disadvantaged or discouraged, with respect to coverage or cost sharing, relative to any opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that whenever a licensed health care practitioner prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of acute pain, neither the Department of Healthcare and Family Services nor a managed care organization shall deny coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug or require a patient to try an opioid prescription drug prior to providing coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug.
Makes other changes.
Status – Referred to Assignments on 2024-04-19, but has recently been adding co-sponsors.