A bill involving women's health clinics was pulled from the record Tuesday so that changes can be made to improve the legislation and give it more support from both sides of the aisle.
House Bill 6, which requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish women's health clinics throughout the state to provide affordable health care for women, was taken out of the record after a short debate when Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) asked Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), the bill's sponsor, to work with him to make the bill stronger.
"We’ve had an opportunity to work together on many bills," Davidsmeyer said. "On this bill, I think we are trying to recreate the wheel. This does not instruct the Department of Public Health to ensure there are services. This instructs them to duplicate services."
Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville)
Davidsmeyer said the bill requires them to create services all over the place.
"They’re saying a billion dollars," Davidsmeyer said. "Where would that come from? Will you pull this from the record and let us negotiate and make sure DPH can ensure the opportunity to provide those services? I want to work with you on this."
Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainsfield) questioned what the opposition was from the DPH, and Flowers said the department's position was that it was not responsible to establish women's health clinics throughout the state of Illinois.
"Is there a fiscal analysis?" Batinick asked. "What we’re trying to do here is admirable. The concern is with fiscal notes. I'm not sure if doing it this way is the best way. I don’t know, if this can be subject to federal appropriations there might be more people on my side of the aisle to support this."
Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake) asked what the cost associated with the proposal would be.
"It’s been confirmed on the floor that it’s a billion dollar cost," Skillicorn said. "That’s significant. That’s real money. I urge a No vote."
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