Illinois lawmakers could expand access to HIV testing, treatment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House Human Services Committee unanimously approved a plan to expand access to HIV testing and treatment Thursday.

House Democrats want to require insurance companies and Medicaid to provide coverage for home test kits for sexually transmitted infections without cost sharing. This plan also calls for the Illinois Department of Public Health to hire an HIV Treatment Innovation Coordinator to adopt a rapid start model for treatment as the standard of care.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says Black and Latino communities represent 70% of people newly diagnosed with HIV and 66% of people living with HIV in Illinois.

Related Links

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) said her plan is critical to improve care in communities of color.

"We have treatments available that can keep folks alive and prevent further transmissions," Cassidy said. "One thing that hasn't changed is that we're still failing to reach the people most in need of our care."

House Bill 5417 could also create eight new treatment sites across the state with educational resources, technical assistance and training for healthcare providers to best help patients. The plan would require all county jails to provide HIV and AIDS education to incarcerated people and visitors as well.

This measure could also create an Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program with coordinated healthcare services for timely and quality HIV treatment.

"Increasing access to HIV testing and linkage to care is a health equity and racial justice issue," said Timothy Jackson with AIDS Foundation Chicago. "We understand that increased access to HIV testing and linkage to care is also a core strategy of the state's Getting to Zero Illinois plan to end the HIV epidemic by 2030."

House Bill 5417 now heads to the House floor for further consideration. State representatives will return to session on April 2.