Senate Bill 2294 makes vital changes for families in need of kidney transplant medications

CHICAGO – Highlighting the importance of kidney care amid the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Kidney Care Alliance (IKCA) applauded Governor Pritzker’s signing Senate Bill 2294 into law yesterday. The legislation expands health care access to families across Illinois, including undocumented persons in need of kidney transplant medications.

“Protecting our most vulnerable constituents has always been a priority for us, and that only increased during the pandemic,” said Kevin Cmunt, Executive Director of the Gift of Hope Community Foundation and an IKCA member. “From day one, we have focused on expanding care to families who have needed help the most, and that is exactly what this bill does for Illinoisans in need.”

While the legislation made multiple changes to Illinois’ Medicaid system, IKCA was specifically focused on the new coverage of kidney transplant medications for all, building on the state’s nation-leading efforts to ensure the health of undocumented residents.

“Doing whatever we can to keep people informed and providing them with all of the available resources that impact kidney health are at the core of what we do at NKFI,” said Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop, FACHE, CEO of National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. “The partnerships, advocacy and information available through the Alliance promotes legislation like SB 2294 which is especially important in communities of color, and we are grateful to Governor Pritzker for keeping his eye on the people in communities that don’t always have the health care options they need. This is a great step in the right direction for all of Illinois.”

SB 2294 passed with bipartisan support and with the governor’s signature, takes effect immediately. To learn more about the bill, visit ILGA.gov and for more information on IKCA, visit ilkidneycarealliance.org.

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