Spring Into Action 2025 Report

IAFP Returns to the Statehouse for Spring into Action

Led by members of the IAFP Board of Directors and residents from across the state, IAFP spent a whirlwind (literally, it was very windy that day!) April 9 at the Illinois Statehouse for the 2025 Spring into Action Advocacy Day. Nearly 100 family physicians joined forces in Springfield from across the state to advocate on behalf of family medicine and the patients they serve.  We kicked off the day by reviewing key backgrounders and helpful hints to prepare IAFP members for their experience. Everyone was encouraged to introduce themselves to their lawmakers with a personal touch—sharing who they are, where they practice, and why family medicine matters. First and foremost, IAFP’s presence served to remind the General Assembly that IAFP is a trusted voice in health care policy and our physicians deliver high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive care.

Overall, the day empowered participants to build relationships with policymakers, share their expertise, and champion legislation that supports patients and the future of family medicine in Illinois.

Advocate Lutheran General Family Medicine Residency sent a combined 32 people on the IAFP bus, which included most of their residents and some faculty led by program director Dr. Inna Gutman. "I think advocacy should be a priority for family physicians. We're trying to be role models and if you start doing this as residents, ideally even as medical students, then you can continue being an advocate for the rest of your life," says Gutman. "I think issues are different for each person. Some are excited to talk about the tax increase on other tobacco products to deter vaping and other nicotine experimentation, or to talk about the protections for victims of trafficking. I am personally also interested in talking about physician assistants and making sure that they're part of a team and not leading a team." 

Lutheran General Chief Resident Ashley Schaefer, MD is also the IAFP resident board member and feels strongly about the role of advocacy as part of her leadership role. "It was really important to me to bring out my co-residents today and promote this for residents across Illinois. Getting involved in advocacy from the start of residency, even in medical school is very essential for people going into family medicine. We take care of these vulnerable populations and so having the opportunity to network with other family medicine physicians in Illinois and also with our own state representatives and senators and building that relationship with them from residency can be so key." 

In total residents and faculty from all these Illinois programs represented their specialty and their patients at Spring into Action:

• Advocate Lutheran General
• University of Chicago Endeavor NorthShore
• Northwestern McGaw Lake Forest
• Lawndale Christian
• Loyola MacNeal
• SIU Alton
• SIU Springfield
• Rush Esperanza
• University of Illinois at Peoria

IAFP New Physician board member Dr. Sydney Doe is on faculty at Rush Esperanza Family Medicine Residency and brought two residents along. "It's always a little bit of luck of a draw. Sometimes I have to make the opportunity to meet with my representatives. Today my conversation actually was a result of catching them in the hallway, but I feel like both conversations were productive. If anything I feel like it's more organic that way so it's been a really positive experience."  Doe concludes, "I think it's important that we have a seat at the table and our voices are heard instead of those things being made exclusively by people who don't have experience working with patients."

We thank these IAFP board members for their leadership: Board Chair Emma Daisy, MD; Treasurer Chirstina Wells, MD; Second Vice President Mustafa Alavi, MD; Board members Avinash Mantha, MD; Kasiemobi Okonkwo, MD; Sydney Doe, MD; Resident Board Member Ashley Schaefer as well as past presidents Tabatha Wells, MD; Edward Blumen, MD; David Hagan, MD and Asim Jaffer, MD. Dr. Jaffer is also chair of the IAFP Government Relations Committee. 

Backgrounders about Family Medicine were part of the leave-behind packets for every legislator to provide meaningful context and reinforce the value of family physicians in Illinois. Every packet also included fact sheets (which you can find and download at the end of this article) on the following legislative priorities. Participants were encouraged to share personal experience with these topics in their discussions with legislators or their legislative staff:

•    Protecting the 340B Program: Advocates stressed the importance of preserving the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which enables safety-net providers to offer affordable medications to underserved communities. The goal is to ensure continued access to care for vulnerable patients and support the financial sustainability of community health centers and hospitals.

•    Supporting the Illinois Statewide Trauma Informed Response to Human Trafficking Act: This bill aims to improve the state’s response to human trafficking by adopting a victim-first approach. Advocates underscored the critical role family physicians play in identifying and supporting victims, especially in primary care and emergency settings. This bill passed the Senate and now awaits consideration in the House which must happen by May 9. 

•    Supporting HB1085 will improve network adequacy and access to behavioral health services. Currently, insurance companies reimburse behavioral health services 23–52% less than other health care services, contributing to provider shortages and limited access for patients. Research shows that increasing insurance investment in behavioral health can actually reduce overall health care costs by 5–10%, as individuals with behavioral health conditions often have higher overall medical needs. By strengthening reimbursement and support for behavioral health, HB1085 promotes a more equitable, cost-effective, and accessible system of care. This bill passed the House and now awaits consideration in the Senate. 

•    Advancing HB3606/SB2338 – This legislation seeks to raise tobacco taxes on all products equal to the tax on cigarettes to raise prices and deter vaping and other smokeless products. Advocates emphasized the proven public health benefits of higher tobacco prices and the long-term savings for the health care system.

•    Opposing Independent Practice for Physician Assistants (PAs): IAFP members shared this backgrounder below, citing the importance of maintaining high-quality, team-based care that ensures patient safety. Advocates highlighted physician-led care as the gold standard in providing effective, coordinated care.

Be an advocate! These files were shared to educate lawmakers on famiy medicine and its value and impact.  
Illinois Family Medicine Fact Sheet

What is a Family Physician? 

Medicaid is Vital to Illinois and IAFP 2025 Medicaid Testimony

Collaborative Care Model Fact Sheet

Cover Letter to Legislators 

LEGISLATION FACT SHEETS - Specific bills you can discuss with your lawmakers   

SUPPORT Pharmacy Access Protection Act 340B  

SUPPORT HB 1085 MH Parity 

SUPPORT IL 2025 Tobacco Tax Fact Sheet 

SUPPORT Human Trafficking Fact Sheet SB 2323 

OPPOSE Illinois Physician Assistant Fact Sheet  

Support their efforts!  Talk to your own lawmakers and reiterate the messages above.
Not sure who represents you in the Illinois General Assemby?
Use the Illinios General Assembly website to learn about your legislators.

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