Key Progress for ILBC's Healthcare Pillar as Lilly Passes HB158

09/03/2025

Lilly is joined onstage by State Reps LaShawn Ford and Carol Ammons (both featured right).

For years, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has recognized that healthcare access and health outcomes in the Black community lag far behind. Through the passage of House Bill 158, we’ve taken deliberate steps to close those gaps and improve care for our most vulnerable residents.

Key progress from the Healthcare Pillar (HB158) includes:

Implicit Bias Training: All medical professionals renewing their licenses must now complete coursework on implicit bias.

$4M in maternal health investment: To improve outcomes for mothers and babies and eliminate preventable deaths.

$10M for mental health services: Supporting the Behavioral Health Workforce Center’s efforts to expand access to treatment.

Sickle Cell Disease: Through reporting from IDPH and a new grant program, we’re dedicating $1 million to support screening, prevention, and treatment systems.

Medical Debt Relief: Expanded programs have eliminated over $1 billion in medical debt for Illinois families.

Protecting Safety Net Hospitals: Despite federal cuts, Illinois is investing $600 million into safety net hospitals so all communities can access quality care.

These efforts ensure that healthcare in Illinois is not just available—but equitable and inclusive, with our communities at the center of the conversation.