New Illinois law requires crisis standards of care plan for future public health emergencies

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new state law could help health care facilities better prepare for future public health emergencies.

The Illinois Department of Public Health will be required to develop and implement a crisis standards of care plan to support local providers when medical resources are overwhelmed.

This plan also calls on IDPH to consider ethical healthcare decision making, health equity, and social determinants of health while making the crisis standards of care annex.

Hospital exam room — Shannon Fagan via Storyblocks

"This is derivative of our experience with the COVID pandemic so that healthcare providers are better prepared to deal with healthcare crises the next time around," said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).

Sponsors said these guidelines could reduce shortages of healthcare resources and keep more people alive during public health emergencies.

House Bill 3886 gained unanimous support in the Illinois House and Senate. The new law took effect Friday.