Most Ambitous Chiropractic Legislative Agenda in Years Passes Both Chambers!
The ICS is proud to have initiated an ambitous and agressive legislative agenda
on behalf of the chiropractic profession. Perhaps the most important ICS initiative
this year, Senate Bill 318 (Silverstein/Saviano), amends the Medical Practice
Act of 1987 to codify the authority of physicians to delegate duties to licensed
and unlicensed staff. The ICS is proud to report that this legislation has now
been passed by both houses and is now headed to Governor Quinn's desk for final
approval. As explained in this space previously, the ICS faced consistent opposition
from the American Massage Therapy Association - Illinois Chapter ("AMTA-IL")
regarding this legislation. We are happy to report that the AMTA-IL removed
the opposition to Senate Bill 318 with the adoption of a new amendment in the
Illinois House Committee on Executive. The floor vote was not unanimous in the
House for SB 318, however, the Illinois Senate concurred with the House amendment
57-0-0 and therefore passed the measure to the Office of the Governor. The
ICS will now focus its energy on receiving the approval of Governor Quinn on
this and other ICS legislative priorities.
In addition to the ICS' delegation legislation, we are also proud to have initiated,
advanced and passed the following proposals on behalf of the Illinois chiropractic
profession:
- House Bill 68 (Lyons/Silverstein) will authorize chiropractic physicians
to treat patients in an Assisted Living facility. Currently only M.D.'s and
D.O.'s are exempted from the Assisted Living Act for such a purpose and House
Bill 68 will provide chiropractic physicians with the same opportunity.
- House Bill 645 (Burke/Martinez) amends the School Code to re-establish that
a chiropractic physician may issue certain certificates concerning a teacher
or student's sick leave. Currently, physicians "licensed to practice
medicine in all of its branches," which include only medical and osteopathic
physicians, are enabled to issue certificates or "notes" to excuse
and return teachers and students to and from school duties. In addition, the
Illinois School Code currently allows school boards to accept such documentation
from advanced practice nurses collaborating with a physician, a physician's
assistant delegated the authority by a supervising physician, or if treatment
is by prayer or spiritual means, a note from a spiritual adviser or practitioner
is also accepted.
- Finally, the ICS also initiated House Bill 1292 (Saviano/Martinez) which
provides for a chiropractic physician to be appointed to the Illinois State
Board of Health. Please feel free to visit www.ilga.gov for up to the minute
updates on this legislation or don't hesitate to contact the ICS Department
of Governmental Relations with any questions!
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