Individual and community experiences are shaped by policies and systems. To achieve a most just healthcare ecosystem, we must advance anti-racist policy and systems change that centers the communities most impacted and prioritizes transformation.
You Can Make A Difference
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2024 POLICY PRIORITIES
Advance legislation
- Implement plans of safe care for newborns and pregnant/postpartum people affected by substance use disorder and remove punitive policies that negatively affect families
- Create programs to ensure access to all contraception and other basic sexual and reproductive health services for Illinoisans regardless of their immigration status
- Ban short-term limited-duration health insurance plans in Illinois.
- Extend paid family leave for all Illinoisans
- Expand affordable access to the material needs of families with infants, especially diapers
- Expand the Healthy Illinois program to provide coverage for all Illinoisans regardless of immigration status
Engage in administrative advocacy to:
- Monitor implementation and expand availability of doula care and home visiting services through Medicaid
- Monitor implementation and provide care recommendations for postpartum Medicaid coverage
- Ensure that all over-the-counter contraceptive methods are covered without cost-sharing by Medicaid and private insurance in Illinois
- Increase enrollment of Illinoisans in the WIC program
- Monitor challenges associated with the public health emergency unwinding, especially for pregnant/postpartum people and infants enrolled in Medicaid
- Engage in the extension and implementation of the Illinois Behavioral Health Transformation 1115 waiver as it relates to pregnant/postpartum people and infants
- Introduce and advance policies to improve access to quality obstetric care in areas with low or no access to hospitals/birth centers offering obstetric care or obstetric providers
Build understanding among lawmakers, agencies, and other decision-makers
- Establishing a statewide system of newborn supports and services; a coordinated system and new standard of care for how newborns are welcomed in IL