Simmons’ Health Outcomes Review Board to Identify and Tackle Health Care Disparities

SPRINGFIELD - Thanks to State Senator Mike Simmons, Illinois is prepared to have a renewed focus on identifying and tackling health care disparities through a newly established Health Outcomes Review Board, which was signed into law on Friday.

Simmons' new law puts us on the path to the creation of an equitable Health Outcomes Review Board, overseen by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which will be dedicated to collecting and reporting de-identified health data with a focus on demographic factors like race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and languages spoken.

"The Health Outcomes Review Board will be able to identify and address disparities in health care and improve policies for communities that have not been well-served by our health care systems," said Simmons (D-Chicago). "Whether it's the unacceptable maternal mortality rates of African American mothers, or inadequate access to specialty care for LGBTQ+ communities, the board will help identify those gaps and provide recommendations for addressing them."

Reports created by the Board will identify disparities in patient health outcomes, develop policy solutions and create steps to reduce health disparities. The recommendations will be shared with state agencies, health care providers, lawmakers and other relevant entities.

"We don't have to accept dismal health outcomes," said Simmons. "This board will have the power to transform our health care landscape and ensure better health outcomes across the state by addressing root causes of health disparities and implementing practical measures to address health inequity."

Senate Bill 3751 was signed into law on Friday and is effective immediately.