According to the CDC, vaccinations will prevent more than 21 million hospitalizations and 730,000 deaths among children born in the last 20 years, and for every $1 invested in vaccines, an estimated $10.20 is saved in direct medical costs, click here.
While a range of vaccinations for children and adults remain important for purposes of advocacy (click here), more recent discussions are taking place regarding COVID-19 vaccinations as well as related testing and exemptions.
In 2022, the Illinois legislature again undertook legislation to improve immunization data and reimbursement rates for children in Illinois, which was passed through the House but stalled in the Senate, see House Bill 347 (with Senate Amendment 1); see also House Bill 347 Fact Sheet. As a partial refiling of House Bill 347, House Bill 4244 sought to improve immunization data, but was stalled in response to anti-vaccination opposition.
The Healthcare Right of Conscience Act (HRCA), established in 1998 and previously known as the Right of Conscience Act dating back to the late 1970's, has become of central focus recently because of its potential use regarding vaccine and testing exemptions. In relevant part, the HRCA states that it "It shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner, including but not limited to, licensing, hiring, promotion, transfer, staff appointment, hospital, managed care entity, or any other privileges, because of such person's conscientious refusal to receive, obtain, accept, perform, assist, counsel, suggest, recommend, refer or participate in any way in any particular form of health care services contrary to his or her conscience."
In October 2021, the Illinois Governor and Atotrney General asked the legislature to pass clarifications to the HRCA that limits the HRCA's use to refuse both COVID-19 vaccine and related testing mandates pursuant to state executive orders, see Public Act 102-667, effective June 1, 2022.