SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House and Senate passed a proposal this week to address the unreasonable delays for the state to approve or renew licenses for health care workers.
Many doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists have been concerned about losing their job if their licenses lapse due to no fault of their own. Some people have waited nearly a year for license approval.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is responsible for the routine licensing of your health care providers, but lawmakers and industry leaders argue the state has failed in that role.
Illinois health care leaders told lawmakers in September that they are worried more providers will look for jobs in other states to avoid this massive problem.
House Bill 2394 creates an expedited and competitive bid process for software to modernize the way Illinois processes professional licenses. The measure could also require the agency to extend the expiration date or renewal period for licensees if the department believes it is necessary to avoid undue hardship.
"These are individuals working in Illinois already who are waiting every day for an update about their license," said Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield). "So this allows IDFPR to, in bulk, create an extension and renewal of those licenses, a one-time renewal."
Over 1 million people need a professional license or registration to work in Illinois.Â
Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton) worked with Morgan and other members of the House Health Care Licenses Committee throughout this year to try and find a solution to the issue. As a physician, Hauter noted that the problem hits close to home. Hauter stressed that horror stories for licensees have become far too common.
"Patients are suffering because historic short staffing is being exacerbated by the historic bureaucratic licensing delays," Hauter said. "In a state with population losses losing in the competitive marketplace for these highly compensated, highly trained healthcare professionals because of our very well deserved reputation for licensing delays is no longer tolerable. This bill is a step in the right direction."
The legislation received unanimous support in the Senate Tuesday. Morgan also gained unanimous support in the House Thursday.
"I continue to hear from residents in my district who are waiting for an update on their license applications and renewals," said Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "This legislation is long overdue. By providing IDFPR with this support, we will move one step closer toward an effective and efficient licensure process for all Illinoisans."
The plan now heads to the governor's desk for approval. House Bill 2394 would take effect immediately if Gov. JB Pritzker signs the legislation into law. Morgan thanked the Pritzker administration for helping sponsors draft the proposal to address the problem in the short period of time during veto session.
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