Conroy Bill to Eliminate Barriers in Mental Healthcare Coverage Advances to Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Understanding that large inequities still exist in how health plans cover behavioral health care, state Rep. Deb Conroy, D – Villa Park, passed legislation in the House which makes it more difficult for health insurance companies to avoid covering sick Illinoisans.

“Healthcare coverage should not be limited to just physical wounds and scars,” said Conroy, Chair of the House Mental Health Committee. “Unfortunately, big healthcare companies often choose to avoid covering people with less obvious health needs. We cannot depend on giant corporations to eventually do the right thing. That’s why I’m prioritizing the mental healthcare of Illinoisans and codifying it in law.”

Conroy’s House Bill 2595 requires insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. The bill also prohibits insurers from limiting benefits or coverage for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions to short-term or acute treatment at any level of placement.

“Recognizing the significance and importance of real mental healthcare coverage is more vital now than ever before,” said Conroy. “This measure brings together both political parties to fight against the greed of healthcare companies who would rather find loopholes in the law to save a few dollars than to properly care for Illinoisans who are struggling through these unprecedented times.”

House Bill 2595 passed the House on a bipartisan roll call and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.