SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is fighting to improve access to mental and behavioral health care in Illinois.

“As a social worker, I understand the necessity for access to affordable mental health services, so I am fighting to improve the current system in Illinois, which will benefit both patients and service providers in our community,” said Villa.  “This legislation would increase access to mental and behavioral health care services to low-income families that rely upon Medicaid.  Individuals that need services for their wellbeing should not have to worry about their ability to pay.”

Villa is co-sponsoring the Mental Health Modernization and Access Improvement Act, which would create incentives for mental health service providers that accept Medicaid to reform their payment systems, increasing access to mental health resources by making services more affordable to low-income families.

“Unfortunately, many Illinois families have little or no access to mental health services because services can be costly,” continued Villa.  “This legislation will not only expand access to critical mental health services, but will also incentivize local providers to continue providing essential care to community members that need it.”

For more information, contact Villa’s constituent services office at 630-326-9319 or StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Families facing financial hardship will have greater access to resources that could prevent foreclosure and evictions under a bill supported by state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, which passed the Illinois House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“Recent studies show that 40 percent of households in the U.S. are just one missed paycheck away from poverty,” said Villa. “For many families, all it takes is a parent losing their job or a child becoming sick to put them on the brink of foreclosure or eviction.”

House Bill 3331 gives the Illinois Department of Human Services more flexibility in providing assistance to people who are at risk of becoming homeless. Under the bill, people in need would be eligible for help making rent and mortgage payments, as well as security deposits, for up to six months. The legislation contains additional provisions for case managers to help families regain stability and remain in their homes.

“Once a family becomes homeless, it is extremely difficult for them to get back on their feet again. As a school social worker, I’ve seen the awful impact this has on children who do not have a stable place to go home to at night,” said Villa. “By implementing policies that are proactive, preventing people from losing their homes in the first place, the state of Illinois will save money in the long run and by putting families on a path to stability.”