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SB 2931

General Fund; FY2026 appropriation to Department of Health to assist rural public hospitals at high financial risk.

2025 Regular Session

Would have appropriated General Fund dollars in FY2026 to the Department of Health to aid rural, financially vulnerable hospitals, preserving rural inpatient and emergency services.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 2931

Summary — SB 2931

Title: General Fund; FY2026 appropriation to Department of Health to assist rural public hospitals at high financial risk
Bill Number: SB 2931
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Rhoads; Sen. Patrick J. Joyce
Subject: Appropriations
Final Status: Died In Committee (2025-02-26)

Purpose and intent

SB 2931 would have directed a General Fund appropriation for fiscal year 2026 to the state Department of Health to create or fund a program intended to assist rural public hospitals that are at high financial risk. The stated intent (from the bill title) is to stabilize financially vulnerable rural public hospitals to help preserve access to local inpatient and emergency services.

Key provisions (based on bill title and typical structure)

The bill text is not provided in full; the title identifies the essential legislative action. Based on that, the bill likely would have done some or all of the following:
- Authorized a General Fund appropriation for FY2026 to the Department of Health for a targeted assistance program.
- Directed the Department to distribute funds to qualifying rural public hospitals that meet criteria for “high financial risk.”
- Authorized grant, loan, or bridge funding mechanisms and set program eligibility and application requirements.
- Required program reporting, oversight, and possibly conditions tied to use of funds (e.g., requirements to maintain essential services, financial reporting, or implementation of cost-savings strategies).
- Specified effective dates and any required rulemaking or interagency coordination.

Because the full text is not available here, the appropriation amount, eligibility definitions, allocation formulas, and reporting requirements are not known.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Rural public hospitals identified as at high financial risk — potentially eligible to receive state assistance.
  • Secondary: Residents of rural communities who rely on local hospital services (inpatient, emergency, obstetric, behavioral health).
  • Administrative: Illinois Department of Health (program administration, oversight).
  • Fiscal: State General Fund — appropriation in FY2026 would increase near-term state expenditures.

Potential impact

  • Positive: Could help avert closures or service reductions at vulnerable rural hospitals, preserving access to care and local jobs.
  • Fiscal/administrative: Would require one-time or ongoing General Fund resources and administrative capacity at the Department of Health; program effectiveness would depend on program design and oversight.
  • Equity: Targets resources to underserved rural areas.

Legislative timeline and procedural status

  • Filed/Introduced: Multiple entries show initial filing and readings beginning Jan–Apr 2024 in the Senate (filed Jan 31, 2024; passed the Senate 4/12/2024 and sent to the House).
  • House actions continued through 2024–2025 (assignments to committees, calendar placements, committee actions).
  • Referred to Appropriations (2025-02-12).
  • Final status: Died In Committee on 2025-02-26, so the bill did not become law.

Notes and uncertainties

  • The summary is based on the bill title and available legislative actions; the bill text and exact appropriation amount, eligibility criteria, and program mechanics are not provided here. For detailed provisions, consult the bill text and fiscal note (if available) in legislative records.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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