IPS Legislative Actions

As the mental health authority in Illinois, the Illinois Psychiatric Society has a responsibility to actively participate in the legislative process to ensure that our patients’ interests are protected.  We actively encourage your support and involvement with our legislative initiatives. 

The Illinois Psychiatric Society not only protects our patients by vigorously opposing bills introduced by psychologists seeking prescribing privileges but also, over the past four years, has introduced legislation to help mentally ill persons.

Telepsychiatry:  In 2007, IPS successfully introduced, in conjunction with the Illinois Hospital Association and NAMI, a bill that requires Medicaid to pay for telepsychiatry.  This initiative was passed as a way to improve access to psychiatric care in rural and underserved areas in Illinois.  Click Here for more information.

Eating Disorders:  In 2007, IPS supported Representative Fred Crespo’s bill that sought to add Eating Disorders to the list of mental illnesses covered by the Illinois parity law.  Working closely with Rep. Crespo, this bill finally passed in September 2008!  IPS feels that this will help our patients by requiring companies that have health insurance for over 50 people to cover 60 visits and 45 days of in-patient treatment per year for patients with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.  Click Here for more information.

Prison Medicaid Bill:  UPDATE - 1/22/2010     
Illinois Psychiatric Society Praises Gov. Quinn for Signing Prison Medicaid Bill -  IPS is pleased to announce that after two years of very hard work by IPS members, the Prison Medicaid Bill has been signed into law by Governor Quinn.  This law will help limit recidivism by allowing offenders who relied on Medicaid benefits when they entered prison to have their benefits reinstated immediately upon release.   Click Here for more information.

Modification of the Illinois Controlled Substance Act:  IPS worked with Representative Sara Feigenholz to get this bill passed.  The bill eliminated the seven day expiration period for Schedule II controlled substances.  This bill allowed Illinois to be in compliance with federal law.  Now, the law provides allows prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances to be filled within 90 days of the date of issuance.  This will be very helpful to Child and Adolescent psychiatrists who will be able to provide 3 months worth of prescriptions for their patients.  This will benefit patients because they will no longer have to visit their psychiatrist on a monthly basis simply to obtain a prescription. IPS very much appreciates the support of Children’s Memorial Hospital of this bill. 

Psychologist Prescribing Bill: This bill is a perennial favorite for the Illinois Psychological Association which has introduced the bill in the Illinois State legislature in each of the following years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009. The bill, as introduced in Illinois, would allow “medical” psychologists to prescribe any medication once the clinical psychologist has completed 300 didactic hours of training, and a clinical practicum involving 100 patients under the supervision of a designated qualified practitioner which could be a nurse practitioner who themselves require a collaborative relationship with a physician to prescribe.  So far, none of the Psychologist Prescribing bills have been voted out of the legislative committee to which they have been assigned.  For example, in 2009, HB 527, introduced by Representative William Black (R-Danville), was sent to the House Committee on Healthcare Licenses.  The Committee never voted on the bill after the hearing; therefore, at the end of the legislative session the bill was “re-referred” to the House Rules Committee for failure to be referred out of Committee. 
Click Here for more information