Scherer-Backed Legislation Expands Access to Health Care, Increases Support for Providers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is working to expand and enhance the quality of health care with a new law modernizing reimbursement rates for local providers.

“Low-income families and patients in rural areas have struggled for years to find health care services, especially mental health, that accept Medicaid,” said Scherer. “The increases to provider reimbursement will close the care gap facing communities outside of major metropolitan areas and bring critical care to those most in need.”

Scherer helped pass Senate Bill 1298, which was signed into law earlier this month by Gov. JB Pritzker. The measure includes raises to reimbursement rates and an expansion of categories of reimbursable care. The expansion will increase the number of healthcare providers that accept Medicaid and bring more care options to those most in need. In addition, the funding provided by this measure will be instrumental in making sure our state’s hospitals have the resources they need to remain open.  

The new law will also allow patients with developmental disabilities to utilize telehealth services. During the pandemic, people living with developmental disabilities often waited much longer to receive care than others because telehealth appointments were not an option for most Medicaid enrollees. The change this law brings will ensure that individuals living with those conditions are able to access care regardless of their physical location.

“Everyone deserves to be able to see a medical professional to address an issue they are facing, especially those living with chronic conditions,” said Scherer. “Although the pandemic confirmed to us that we still have a lot of work to do to address health disparities, I am proud to say that we are taking another step in the right direction.”