OAK PARK - Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), who led the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda through the Senate, emphasized the importance of access to quality health care at a press conference centered on the health care and human services pillar of the agenda. 

“The key point is that the quality of health care you receive should not be determined by your race, your income or your address. Quality, affordable health care should be recognized as a right for all,” Lightford said at the press conference.  

Public Act 102-0004, representing the health care and human services pillar, is focused on creating a more equitable and inclusive health care system in Illinois.

Among other changes, it puts a temporary halt to hospital closures, reforms Medicaid managed care organizations, takes steps to reduce maternal and infant mortality, improves access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment, and trains medical providers to recognize and overcome implicit bias.

The legislation was signed into law in April. Read the full text of the bill here.