Rep. Barbara Hernandez Pushes for Affordable Health Care, Mental Health Parity

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinoisans in need of medical assistance will see a wide variety of improvements following the passage of an expansive health care reform package backed by state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora.

“Accessible high-quality health care is a fundamental right, and I am proud to say this reform package will help secure that right for countless Illinoisans while improving numerous features of our current health care system,” Hernandez said. “This legislation will, among other things, require hospitals to provide critical aid to overdosing patients, create a framework for authorization of mental health professionals, expand senior care insurance coverage and provide more child care options for families. Illinoisans deserve the best, most comprehensive health care in the country, and this bill will help us reach that goal.”

Senate Bill 2294 is an omnibus health care reform package which addresses problems in a wide varity of areas in Illinois’ current medical system. These include mental health, addiction, child care, dental care and others. The bill passed with unanimous support in the legislature and was recently signed into law by the governor.

“The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the need for significant change in Illinois’ health care system,” Hernandez said. “Especially in the mental health area, people who were not fully covered had to deal with huge challenges without the professional help they needed. Filling these gaps in Illinois’ medical care system is a priority for me, and I believe by passing this law, we made substantial progress.”