Villa Measure to Aid Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Passes Health Care Licenses Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, passed a measure out of the Illinois House Health Care Licenses Committee today that would require the Department of Public Health to develop additional training for phlebotomists regarding drawing blood from individuals with developmental disabilities.

“Individuals with developmental disabilities may experience extreme anxiety when having routine procedures like blood work done, so it is essential that phlebotomists have the training they need to make the blood drawing process as simple and stress-free as possible for these patients,” said Villa. “Blood work is often necessary to diagnose a myriad of medical conditions. Ensuring that phlebotomists have the training necessary to ease the nervousness of patients with developmental disabilities will ensure that these individuals have access to quality health care.”

Villa is sponsoring Senate Bill 1214. The measure, which passed out of the Illinois House Health Care Licenses Committee today also passed out of the Illinois Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. Villa will now move Senate Bill 1214 to the House chamber for full consideration.

For more information, contact Villa’s constituent services office at 630-326-9319 or StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.