SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk could protect medical records related to abortion and gender affirming care provided in Illinois.
Sponsors said the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act will ensure people receiving care in Illinois will not have their sensitive records shared without their consent.
The bill requires electronic health networks to prevent all medical codes related to abortion and gender dysmorphia from leaving the state unless the patient approves that the information can be shared.
“We’ve heard from patients from other states who have traveled to Illinois and were dropped by their primary care physician once their physician saw via their electronic health records that they got an abortion,” said Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).
Democrats said nearly one in four people seeking abortions out-of-state choose Illinois because of the state’s pro-abortion laws.
House Bill 5295 passed out of the Senate on a 38-19 vote. The legislation received a 73-39 vote in the House.
“Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, out-of-state entities have attempted to use every tool available to punish women who have sought abortions,” Pritzker said. “The Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act is the most recent action Illinois is taking to ensure that patients retain full control over their private health information.”
Pritzker said he looks forward to signing the bill into law to fortify the protections around choice and consent. He also stressed anyone receiving safe and legal abortion care in Illinois will not be criminalized.
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