Written by Delgado Staff Wednesday, 24 August 2011 10:44
"The intent of this new law is to protect the rights of patients and to improve the delivery of health care services," said Senator Delgado, Chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee. "All patients have the right to be treated fairly. This new law will allow patients who are not treated fairly to file grievances against the hospital." House Bill 279 expands the Medical Patient Rights Act to include a patient’s right not to be discriminated against by the hospital due to certain factors that are not relevant to their medical diagnosis and treatment. This new law also creates procedures for addressing discrimination grievances and authorizes every hospital to post its emergency room anti-discrimination policy. In addition, the patient is now permitted to file a grievance with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Human Rights. Under previous law there is no way to file grievances against a hospital. Instead, the Medical Patient Rights Act just requires that each patient that is admitted to a hospital be given a written statement of their rights.
SPRINGFIELD, IL—Legislation supported by Illinois State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) that will help to eliminate discrimination in hospitals has been signed into law by Governor Quinn.
Senator Delgado Menu
2nd District
Years served: 1999 - 2006 (House); 2006 - Present (Senate)
Committee assignments: Human Services; Appropriations I; Public Health (Chairperson); Consumer Protection (Vice-Chairperson); Executive Appointments; Committee of the Whole; Joint Comm. on Government Reform; Subcommittee on Amendments.
Biography: Full-time state legislator; born in Newark, NJ.; B.A. in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University; Leadership Chairman of the 2nd Legislative District's Volunteer Political Organization; married (wife, Iris), has two children.
