House Sponsors: SAVIANO AND GRANBERG. Short description: HEALTH CR WRKR-GRP HLTH CVRG Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that any long-term care facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act within the State of Illinois may apply to the Director of Central Management Services to have its employees, annuitants, and their eligible dependents provided group health coverage under the Act on a non-insured basis. Amends the Department of Public Health Act. Requires the Director of Public Health to coordinate all loan forgiveness, grant, and tuition waiver programs and training programs available for licensed and unlicensed health care workers who work or pledge to work in long-term health care settings. Requires the Department of Public Health to serve as a clearinghouse on available programs. Requires the Director of Public Health to establish a health care worker tuition payback program. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2310/2310-201 new Replaces the title and everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the bill as introduced with the following changes: (1) in provisions amending the State Employees Group Insurance Act, makes changes to the definition of "long-term care facility" and provides that long-term care facilities do not have to enroll all of its employees for group health coverage under specified circumstances, (2) in provisions amending the Department of Public Health Act, provides that the loan forgiveness, grant, and tuition waiver programs and training programs are additive and will not offset each other to the extent that they do not exceed 100% of the program costs and living expenses, and (3) amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to provide that the Department, in cooperation with organizations representing health care professionals and their employers, the Illinois Community College Board, the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Department of Workforce Education, and the State Board of Education, shall develop and implement an initiative to address the severe shortage of health care staff in Illinois. Effective immediately. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status