Collins legislation to require insurance coverage for all pregnancy related services

SPRINGFIELD – Leading the charge to address disparities in maternal mortality rates in Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is spearheading a measure to expand coverage for pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by doulas and midwives.

“As a mom, I know how necessary pregnancy and midwife services are and how vital it is to lower the maternal mortality rate by ensuring mothers and newborns have the best health care and supports possible,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Black women face some of the highest mortality rates during and after pregnancy, and with this legislation, we will begin to close gaps in coverage and increase safety and care for all newborns and mothers in Illinois.”

Under Collins’ legislation, private insurers would be required to cover all pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by perinatal doulas or licensed certified professional midwives, including home births, home visits and support during labor. Insurance companies would need to cover home visits by board-certified lactation consultants, including the cost of recommended breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and feeding aids.

• Maternal Mortality
• Pregnancy
• Doulas and Midwives
• HB 5142

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Collins moves legislation to account for youth in care in temporary living spaces

SPRINGFIELD – To assess the progress being made to place youth in care in appropriate settings, State Senator Lakesia Collins passed legislation to require the Department of Children and Family Services to annually report the number of youth in care who are erroneously placed in temporary living settings.

“We need to see the accurate numbers from DCFS and ensure that we are accounting for all children in foster care and what their living situations are,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “It is so important to make sure children are in safe and healthy living conditions, and with this data we can more accurately assess problems and potential solutions.”

Under Collins’s legislation, House Bill 4758, DCFS’ Annual Youth in Care Waiting Placement Report would be required to include the number of youth in care who remained in temporary living spaces, such as psychiatric hospitals, out-of-state residential facilities, detention centers or other emergency placements like shelters.

• Youth in Care
• DCFS
• HB 4758

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Collins joins Rep. Morris to protect residents’ data and create jobs in low-income areas

CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins and State Representative Yolonda Morris presented legislation at a press conference Wednesday to help protect Illinoisans’ data and create jobs by providing incentives to locate data centers in low-income areas.

“By keeping Illinois technology and data in our state, instead of sending it to Virginia or another state, Illinois stands to gain tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue to help Black and Brown neighborhoods and businesses,” said Collins (D-Chicago).

Several major hospitals in Illinois have suffered cybersecurity attacks in recent years – including Lurie Children’s Hospital and St. Anthony’s Hospital. Both Collins and Morris have worked for years in the health care industry serving patients and those who are vulnerable, leading them to introduce the Keep Illinois Data in Illinois tax credit legislation to strengthen health care and cybersecurity infrastructure while helping minority business owners develop data storage facilities.

“At a time when our data is under attack, governments and hospitals should store their data in Illinois,” said State Representative Yolonda Morris (D-Chicago). “We should provide incentives to minority-owned companies that will build data centers in low-income areas. This legislation would provide millions in tax revenue, quality jobs for our community, and high-quality construction jobs. Also, it will result in community benefits in terms of jobs and opportunities for our young people to enter the technology industry.”

• SB 3939
• Data
• Data Centers
• Cybersecurity
• Jobs

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Collins resolution supports University of Illinois Cancer Center accreditation

SPRINGFIELD – To promote and highlight the University of Illinois Cancer Center, State Senator Lakesia Collins passed a resolution to honor the dedication of UICC as an accredited National Cancer Institute in Illinois.

“The researchers and employees at UICC work day and night to continue their progress on combating cancer, and it is my honor to recognize their efforts toward accreditation,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “UICC is now recognized as one of the three institutions in the state that are NCI-designated cancer centers, which will help increase access to quality cancer care in Illinois.”

Senate Resolution 727 recognizes the University of Illinois Cancer Center and its strides toward reduced inequalities in cancer outcomes as well as scientific solutions for equitable outcomes in cancer care.

• UICC
• SR 727
• Cancer Center

Read more: Collins resolution supports University of Illinois Cancer Center accreditation