Governor Quinn Creates Illinois Health Care Reform Implementation Council

CHICAGO – July 30, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed an executive order to create the Illinois Health Care Reform Implementation Council. The council will help the state implement the health care reforms contained in the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“Making sure that everyone in Illinois has access to quality, affordable health care is one of my highest priorities,” said Governor Quinn. “This council will help my administration effectively implement the new federal law and make sure that every person’s right to decent health care is protected.”

Implementation of the federal ACA will improve the health of residents throughout Illinois by increasing access to health care, reducing treatment disparities, controlling costs, and improving the affordability, quality and effectiveness of health care.

The council will make recommendations to assist the state to: establish a health insurance exchange and other consumer protection reforms; reform Medicaid; assure high quality care; identify federal grants and other non-governmental funding sources; and foster the widespread adoption of electronic medical records.

The council will submit its first report to Governor Quinn by Dec. 31, 2010, followed by periodic reports on the implementation of its recommendations.

Members of the council will include directors of the Illinois Departments of: Healthcare and Family Services, Insurance, Public Health, Aging, Human Services, Department of Central Management Services, Labor, Financial and Professional Regulation, the Governor’s Office of Health Information Technology and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. Members may be represented by a designee.

A designee from the Office of Governor will serve as the council’s chair and the directors of the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services will serve as vice-chairs. The council will receive administrative support from the agencies appointed to it.

The council will hold meetings across the state to inform the public about the opportunities and responsibilities under the ACA, soliciting recommendations for the implementation and reporting on those recommendations.

• Executive Order