Slaughter-Backed Measure Requires Insurance Companies to Provide Coverage for Mental Health Services

CHICAGO – To improve the mental health and wellbeing of communities across the state, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation that will require insurance companies to provide policyholders with coverage for mental health and substance abuse services.

“Mental health is incredibly important in the overall well-being of an individual, and it’s critical that residents have access to affordable care that can help them and their families,” said Slaughter. “This measure should help expand access to everyone, and it can particularly have an impact on low-income residents who previously did not have the ability to find care.”

Slaughter supported House Bill 2595, which was recently signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, mandates insurance companies to offer coverage for mental health and substance abuse services. The law obliges companies to provide coverage for all services deemed necessary by the leading nonpartisan mental health professional association to treat any mental health disorder or condition. The new law fully takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022 and will also punish insurance companies for failing to comply with fines between $1,000 and $5,000 for each instance.

“Mental health matters, and it matters even more during this pandemic that has continued to take a toll on the minds of everyone,” said Slaughter. “People are facing multiple stressors from a variety of sources, and it’s absolutely critical that they have access to the treatment they deserve to manage their mental health and lead healthy lives.”