East Central Reporter

In a Jan. 6 Facebook post, Rep. Brad Halbrook spoke out on the passage of SB 1534.

"Extremism has No End in IL- Democrats further expand Abortion and Transgender Treatment," Halbrook said. "A gut & replace amendment in SB 1534-FA#4, named the 'Patient & Provider Protection Act' is yet another attack on Life."

Senate Bill 1534 requires a variety of different things, including coverage of abortion care coverage (medication too). Health insurance must cover all "abortifacients, gender-affirming health care medication, human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis drugs" It allows a pharmacist to dispense hormonal contraceptives. It also "prohibits a cause of action against any person (rather than only a physician or a medical institution) for the wrongful death of a fetus caused by an abortion where the abortion was permitted by law and the requisite consent was lawfully given."

According to Advantage News, the measure passed the house in a 67-41 vote, and there was plenty of Republican pushback.

WQAD parsed the bill a bit more.

"Here's what else the bill would do when it comes to reproductive health:  Require public higher education institutions to have emergency contraception available for purchase through at least one vending machine on each campus," the article said. "Requires abortion care coverage to include medications prescribed for the purpose of producing abortions. Requires health insurance to provide coverage for all abortifacients, gender-affirming health care medication, human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis drugs."