New Cervantes legislation to expand role of physician assistants

• Health Care Access
• Physician Assistant
• PAs

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes was joined by health care providers, students, patients and the Illinois Academy of Physician Associates for a press conference on a new law that would modernize PA practice laws, improving health care access across the state.

“Last year, I was proud to sponsor legislation to begin the journey to allow physician assistants to practice to their full potential,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This year’s Senate Bill 3421 is critical as we face an access to health care crisis in Illinois.”

With similar training as nurses and doctors, PAs can provide high-quality health care, but have run into difficulties getting their license approved due to a long, tedious paperwork approval process. Senate Bill 3421 would remove outdated practice barriers for PAs, allowing them to deliver care more effectively and efficiently. The legislation allows PAs to obtain a license to prescribe and administer certain controlled substances without a written agreement from a doctor, as nurses are currently able to do.

“This legislation is vital because our healthcare system continues to face increasing strain. Recognizing and empowering PAs in our communities will make a significant impact,” said Timothy Kinsey, a PA in emergency medicine and executive director of IAPA. “They are highly trained professionals who can serve as the first line of defense against serious health issues.”

This legislation is crucial as it aligns with the growing demand for health care services while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

“Many communities, including my own, are experiencing medical deserts, and PAs are a vital part of the solution,” said Cervantes. “The federal government has initiated a Rural Health Transformation initiative, and Illinois risks leaving tens of millions of dollars on the table if we do not modernize our PA practice laws. The time to act is now.”

Senate Bill 3421 awaits assignment to a legislative committee.

Cervantes condemns federal administration decision denying major disaster declaration for summer flooding

• Floods
• In District

BERWYN – The federal administration – through the Federal Emergency Management Agency — has officially denied the state’s appeal for a major disaster declaration following severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that impacted multiple counties from Aug. 16–19, 2025, including large portions of the district Cervantes represents.

“I am disappointed and angry at this administration’s decision to deny a disaster declaration for the hundreds of families who not only lost furniture and stoves, but memories and precious moments that money cannot buy back,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Last summer’s storms wreaked absolute havoc in my community. The damage they caused qualifies as a disaster, and this administration’s refusal to acknowledge that demonstrates how little they value my community.”

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Cervantes to host family resource fair with Family Focus Cicero

• In District
• Resource Fair

BERWYN – To help community members access helpful resources, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes is teaming up with Family Focus Cicero to host a Family Resource and Support Day on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 1-4:30 p.m.

“Families across our community have had a tough few months with cuts to federal health programs, increased intimidation from ICE agents and more,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We always want to help our neighbors out, but it’s more important than ever to be as accessible as possible and help one another. This event will connect families to essential resources that will hopefully make their daily lives a little bit easier in these stressful times.” 

The Family Resource and Support Day will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 1-4:30 p.m. at Cervantes’ district office, located at 6729 Stanley Ave., 1st Floor, Suite A, in Berwyn. Attendees will receive help translating essential records, accessing public benefits like Medicaid and SNAP, support with citizenship and DACA applications, and more.

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Cervantes law protects dental patients from footing bills for appointments covered by insurance

• SB 1392
• Dental Care

SPRINGFIELD – For years in Illinois, dental insurance companies were allowed to only reimburse patients for dental visits, requiring working Illinoisans to pay the cost of a visit in the office and wait for a check reimbursing them for weeks or months. Thanks to a law led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, patients will no longer have to worry about footing the bill, and insurers will be required to pay for these visits to providers directly.

“Illinoisans shouldn’t have to be the middle man between insurance companies and dental providers,”
 said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “With this new legislation, patients will no longer have to play this role, and can go to the dentist without fear that they will have to foot the bill and wait for a check to cover the costs weeks from then.”   

Without this law, dental insurance carriers are only required to cover the cost of the visit — but it is unspecified if they need to pay the providers directly, or just reimburse the patient for their visit. This means many insurance plans do not immediately pay for a patient’s treatment, leaving them to cover the bill after the visit, only to reimburse them months later.

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