Galesburg Reporter

A bill Sen. Neil Anderson sponsored to address the anesthesiologist shortage was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, according to a press release. The law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

“Anesthesiologists play an essential role in ensuring safe and effective medical treatment prior to, during and after medical procedures," Anderson said. “There is currently an anesthesiologist shortage across our state and my hope is through this new law, a new door will be opened for those wanting to practice this specific type of medicine without financial barriers.”

The Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists worked for the creation and passage of Senate Bill 2130, now Public Act 103-0507, according to the release. The bill “amends the Undeserved Health Care Provider Workforce Act to add anesthesiologists to the definition of an ‘eligible healthcare provider,’ allowing them to become eligible for loan repayment and scholarship programs.”

The anesthesiologist shortage isn’t limited to Illinois though. The American Society of Anesthesiologists issued a news release that suggested increasing the number of anesthesiology residency positions could help to address the shortage.

“There is a projected shortage of anesthesia care professionals in the next three to five years, and a third of the physician anesthesiologist workforce is older than 60,” said Lauren Nahouraii, M.D., lead author of the study and an anesthesiology and perioperative medicine resident physician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “Adding extra anesthesiology residency positions can help address the issue, and our research suggests it also may be cost-effective for the institution.”

Senate Bill 2130 was filed by Anderson on Feb. 10 and moved to the House on March 30. It passed both Houses on May 11. It went to Pritzker’s desk on June 9 and was approved and signed on Aug. 4. The bill adds anesthesiologists to the definitions of “eligible health care provider” in the Underserved Health Care Provider Workforce Act. The chief House sponsor was Rep. Lawrence “Larry” Walsh, Jr.

Anderson has served the 47th District since 2015. The district now includes portions and/or all of Adams, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell and Warren Counties. When he's not serving the residents of the 47th District as a legislator in Springfield, Anderson is a firefighter/paramedic in Moline.