Policy Priorities
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.
Webinar Recording: Defending Health Care in 2025
In this webinar, our panelists discussed the threats to health care from the next Trump Administration and Republican Congress and outlined strategies for state action to protect our communities.
You Can Make A Difference
Join the Policy Action Network today to be alerted when we announce bills for the upcoming legislative session and opportunities to take action.
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