An Update on the 2026 General Assembly

The Spring 2026 legislative session is in full swing, don’t miss ISMS’ upcoming timely and informative webinar that dives into the most important health-related issues debated in the Illinois General Assembly. Join ISMS Senior Vice President for State Legislative Affairs Erin O’Brien and ISMS Senior Vice President of Health Policy Research and Advocacy David Porter as they provide expert analysis on the legislative outcomes that could shape the future of medicine and healthcare.

About the presenters:

Erin O’Brien has been employed with the Illinois State Medical Society since 2004. In her capacity as Senior Vice President for State Legislative Affairs, it is her responsibility to convey the organizations’ positions and policies to lawmakers on issues impacting the practice of medicine, physicians and their patients. She is also responsible for connecting legislators and other state officials to Illinois physicians to discuss important matters facing Illinois’ public health system and how to safely improve access to health care for all Illinois patients.

Prior to her employment with the Illinois State Medical Society and ISMIE Mutual, Erin worked for the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives where she assisted legislators with developing their public policy agendas, and public promotion of their legislative accomplishments.

Erin O’Brien graduated from Marquette University where she majored in political science.

David Porter is the Senior Vice President of Health Policy Research and Advocacy at the Illinois State Medical Society. In that role, he is dedicated to advancing physicians’ interests and protecting their ability to provide high-quality care to their patients. He and his team track all legislative and regulatory changes that may impact physicians’ professional lives – including issues like the licensure of healthcare professionals, the integration of health information technology into medical practice, and the constantly changing interface between physicians and public and private payers.

His department also produces relevant educational content for medical society members, and develops and implements advocacy strategies to advance the interests of Illinois physicians and the patients they serve.

David Porter’s career includes successful stints in: government service at the US Department of Health and Human Services, non-profit association management at the American Medical Association and other medical societies, and pharmaceutical policy and alliance development at the GD Searle Company and the Pharmacia Corporation.

David holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Denison University in Granville, Ohio.