Pappas Pushes for Expanded Mental Health Insurance Coverage

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is working to protect mental health services with legislation that would expand coverage in numerous insurance plans.

“Mental illnesses can be devastating for those who don’t receive proper care,” Pappas said. “People who have to live through anxiety attacks, depression, bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder without help from trained professionals often suffer enormous difficulties. Not having insurance to cover these serious illnesses can put the individuals’ or others’ lives in jeopardy, and we need to do more to expand access to mental health services.”

Pappas is supporting House Bill 3473, which would require certain insurance policies to cover mental health services, expanding mental health coverage to over 2.5 million people across the state. The non-partisan mental health advocacy group, Mental Health America, cites low levels of mental health coverage as one of the leading causes of mental health disorders and one of the easiest problems to change. Pappas is committed to making sure that people who suffer any type of illness can receive the proper care they need, without having to pay extreme, out-of-pocket costs.

 “Greater mental health coverage will help countless Illinoisans work more effectively, live safer lives and avoid criminal behavior,” said Pappas. “This bill will aid innumerable people with their illnesses while easing burdens on our institutions and bolstering our economy.”