2025 Illinois State of Reform Health Policy Conference

Details coming soon.

Illinois is at the forefront of integrating housing into its healthcare system, recognizing that stable housing is fundamental to health. Through its Medicaid 1115 waiver, the state has expanded coverage to include services such as medical respite care for individuals experiencing homelessness and support for individuals transitioning from incarceration. This panel will explore the current status of Illinois’ efforts to integrate housing into healthcare, discuss the challenges faced, and examine strategies to sustain and expand these initiatives in the face of federal uncertainty. 

Illinois’ health insurance environment is rapidly shifting, shaped by new insurance products, changes to the healthcare safety net, and evolving state and federal policies. This panel will examine the introduction of new state-regulated health plans, including the phaseout of short-term limited duration insurance and expanded consumer protections. Speakers will explore the current status and future of Illinois’ Medicaid program in light of potential federal funding cuts, and how these changes could affect low-income residents and providers. 

Illinois has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance behavioral health services through several initiatives, including the continued expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) and investments into crisis system response through 988, mobile crisis response grants and crisis center.   This panel will provide an overview of these initiatives and what is to come for them in the future while also highlighting the efforts of organizations doing the work, lessons learned and opportunities for replication and expansion. 

Illinois has taken meaningful steps to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly through expanded Medicaid coverage, investments in perinatal support services, and community-based interventions. This panel will highlight recent policy developments and ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing health inequities and improving outcomes for mothers and babies, including the certification of new provider types like community health workers. 

Illinois is pioneering a transformative approach to healthcare by leveraging its Medicaid program to address health-related social needs (HRSNs) such as housing instability, food insecurity, and violence prevention. In July 2024, the state received federal approval for an 1115 waiver, enabling Medicaid funds to support critical support services. However, the future of this initiative is uncertain under the Trump administration, which has proposed significant Medicaid funding cuts that may compromise the waiver’s future. This panel will discuss the uncertain road ahead and possible paths forward for continuing to address HRSNs. 

In 2023, Illinois took a significant step toward enhancing healthcare access and affordability by enacting legislation to establish its own state-based health insurance exchange, transitioning from the federal platform. This move, set to be fully operational by plan year 2026, aims to provide Illinois residents with a more tailored and responsive marketplace for obtaining health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This panel will explore the multifaceted impacts of this transition. 

Illinois is actively addressing the healthcare workforce shortage through targeted initiatives aimed at expanding and supporting its diverse healthcare workforce. Collaborative strategies, including the launch of a statewide resource pool by the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, aim to provide healthcare facilities with flexible staffing solutions. This panel will explore these initiatives, discuss the challenges faced, and examine the collaborative efforts necessary to build a sustainable and diverse healthcare workforce in Illinois. 

As artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly central role in Illinois healthcare, the state is focused on integrating these technologies safely while maintaining essential oversight. With the potential to improve diagnosis, treatment, and operational efficiency, AI presents transformative opportunities for the healthcare system. However, Illinois is also working to ensure that AI is used responsibly. This panel will explore how Illinois is navigating the growing use of AI in healthcare, addressing challenges, and discussing strategies for ensuring both innovation and protection of patient rights. 

Prescription drug affordability remains a critical concern in Illinois, particularly for low-income and underserved communities. The federal 340B Drug Discount Program has been instrumental in providing discounted medications to hospitals and clinics that serve these populations. This panel will explore the current state of the 340B program in Illinois as well as alternative approaches to improving prescription drug access and affordability for all Illinois residents. 

This panel will explore how the state can maintain key public health improvements made during the pandemic—such as data modernization, workforce expansion, and cross-sector partnerships—even as funding levels decline. Panelists will discuss how to foster deeper collaboration between public health agencies and healthcare providers to address chronic disease, emerging threats, and social determinants of health more effectively. 

Illinois has implemented significant reforms to streamline the prior authorization (PA) process, aiming to reduce administrative burdens and improve timely access to care. This panel will examine the impact of recent PA reforms on healthcare providers and patients in Illinois. Discussions will focus on the effectiveness of standardized response times, the role of physician involvement in PA decisions, and the implications of recent legislative changes. Panelists will also explore ongoing challenges and opportunities for further improvement in the PA process to enhance healthcare delivery across the state. 

As the federal government pursues initiatives to tie Medicaid eligibility to work or community engagement requirements, states like Illinois face complex decisions about implementation, enforcement, and equity. This panel will explore the potential impacts of federally mandated Medicaid work requirements on Illinois’s healthcare infrastructure, vulnerable populations, and administrative systems. 

Details coming soon.