summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Medicaid Technical Assistance Act. Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to collaborate with public and private partners throughout the State to identify, establish, and maintain best practices necessary for health providers to ensure their capacity to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program (rather than ensure their capacity to participate in HealthChoice Illinois or YouthCare). Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to promote equitable delivery systems, remaining committed to the principle that all Medicaid recipients have accessible and equitable physical and mental health care services. Removes provisions concerning the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center's administration of network adequacy reports, and instead requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to administer a network requirement plan. Provides that by using reports and data provided by the Department of Healthcare and Family Service's External Quality Review Organization on network adequacy, provider service deserts, and health care disparities by race and ethnicity, the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center shall propose for Department review and approval an annual plan for recruiting providers to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program and report on outcomes of its recruitment efforts to the Department for continuous improvement. Repeals a provision requiring the Department to maximize federal financial participation for any moneys appropriated to the Department for the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center and to deposit all federal financial participation funds into the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Repeals a provision creating the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides for the dissolution of the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund on July 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practical, after the transfer of all remaining funds into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Effective July 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Medicaid Technical Assistance Act to shift the focus of the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center (MTAC) from ensuring provider participation in specific programs like HealthChoice Illinois to ensuring their capacity to participate in the broader Illinois Medical Assistance Program, with a strong emphasis on promoting equitable access to physical and mental health care for all Medicaid recipients. The MTAC will now be responsible for developing and implementing an annual plan to recruit healthcare providers, particularly in areas with limited access or "service deserts" and communities experiencing health disparities, using data from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' External Quality Review Organization. This plan will prioritize recruiting behavioral health providers and those addressing social determinants of health, which are conditions impacting an individual's health like access to food, housing, and education. The bill also dissolves the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund and transfers its remaining balance to the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund on July 1, 2026, and redefines "behavioral health providers" to include a wider range of mental health and substance use disorder services.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Assignments (on 02/05/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...