SPRINGFIELD – To ensure nursing home residents receive proper care during ownership changes, State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation that would require facilities to develop comprehensive transition plans.

“Quality of care for nursing home residents should not be disrupted because of an unclear transition process,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “By providing a clear transfer plan when nursing homes change ownership, we can increase protection for residents.”

Senate Bill 3115 would require owners of nursing facilities to submit transition plans detailing how resident care and appropriate staffing levels will be maintained throughout the process of changing ownership. 

SPRINGFIELD – Cancer is a serious disease that touches most lives in one way or another. State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure through the Senate to require insurance companies to cover preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing for individuals with a family history or increased risk of cancer.

“Like so many others, cancer has impacted me and my family,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This legislation will increase rates of survival by prioritizing prevention and early detection.”

SPRINGFIELD – The cost of managing diabetes can be a significant burden for many families. To help ease the financial strain experienced by people with the condition, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to expand insurance coverage for medically necessary glucose monitors and related supplies.

“Being forced to make the choice between insulin and other necessities is unacceptable,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is my goal to ensure that insurance companies adequately cover life-saving medication for people with all types of diabetes.”

SPRINGFIELD – To help physicians meet patients’ end-of-life wishes, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to create an electronic registry to store treatment preferences for critically ill individuals.

“How much or how little treatment a person receives at the end of their life should be up to each individual instead of the one-size-fits-all approach,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This measure will enable physicians to access forms detailing patients’ wishes in a single, accessible location.”

Senate Bill 2644 would establish a statewide electronic registry that would contain Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment forms, which detail what type of medical treatment a critically ill patient does and does not want. POLST forms can help health care practitioners to uphold a person’s wishes regarding their care.