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HB 3434

Relating to unemployment insurance benefits for employees unemployed due to a labor dispute; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Andersen and 18 co-sponsors

Expands IL Medicaid to cover nutrition care and medical nutrition therapy by licensed dietitians, boosting access for enrollees with chronic conditions, pending federal approval.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3434

Summary — HB 3434 (MEDICAID — NUTRITION THERAPY)

Status: Introduced (LRB10410161KTG20233b). Introduced 2/18/2025 by Rep. Norma Hernandez. Re-referred under Rule 19(a) to Rules Committee; placed on General State Calendar (5/13/2025). Amends: 305 ILCS 5/5-5 (Illinois Public Aid Code).

Purpose / Intent

To require the Illinois Medical Assistance (Medicaid/Title XIX) program, subject to federal approval, to cover nutrition care services and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) provided by licensed registered dietitians. The aim is to support prevention, management, treatment, delay, or rehabilitation of disease and health conditions through nutrition services.

Key provisions

  • Adds coverage for “nutrition care services and medical nutrition therapy” under the medical assistance program, subject to federal (Medicaid/Title XIX) approval.
  • Provider requirement: services must be provided by a registered dietitian licensed under the Illinois Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Act and acting within the scope of that license.
  • Scope of services covered may include:
    • Nutrition assessment
    • Nutrition intervention
    • Nutrition counseling
    • Nutrition monitoring and evaluation
  • Purpose of services: prevention, delay, management, treatment, or rehabilitation of a disease or condition.
  • Implementation actions required of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS):
    • Submit a Title XIX State Plan amendment if required to obtain federal approval and matching funds.
    • Adopt administrative rules to implement the law, explicitly including rules that ensure coverage for individuals with chronic conditions without prior authorization.
  • Timing: coverage should be implemented within 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, contingent on federal approval.

Who is affected

  • Medicaid/medical assistance enrollees in Illinois (especially those with chronic conditions who may benefit from MNT).
  • Registered dietitians licensed in Illinois (newly authorized Medicaid providers).
  • Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (responsible for rulemaking and State Plan amendments).
  • Managed care entities (MCEs) and Medicaid program administrators (for contracting, provider enrollment, and reimbursement).

Procedural / fiscal notes

  • Coverage is contingent on federal Medicaid approval (Title XIX); implementation depends on HFS submitting and receiving approval for any required State Plan amendment.
  • The bill does not specify reimbursement rates or appropriations; potential Medicaid cost increases are implied but not quantified. Advocates may cite long-term savings from better chronic disease management; fiscal impact would be determined during budget/appropriation and federal-approval processes.

Legislative actions (selected)

  • Filed/first reading Feb–Mar 2025; hearings and committee consideration in Apr–May 2025; reported favorably without amendment and placed on the General State Calendar (May 2025).

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

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