Senator Fine fights to eliminate barriers to mental health care

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) led a joint hearing of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and the House Mental and Substance Abuse Committee on Friday to hear testimony on eliminating barriers to mental health and addiction care.

“The need for mental health and addiction care has never been more acute than it is right now, in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Senator Fine. “This is an emotional yet critical issue we must address as it affects us, our family members and our friends.”

Alice Feldman, a constituent from the district Senator Fine represents, shared her personal story of struggling with mental health as an adolescent and the dire need for coverage of mental health and addiction care. Feldman emphasized how early and necessary treatment can be key in saving lives by sharing stories of friends who changed their lives for the better after receiving treatment and others who died of addiction when they desperately needed help.

Many individuals with mental illness face roadblocks to treatment because insurers refuse to cover care they deem medically unnecessary. Panelists urged the passage of Senate Bill 697, a bill Senator Fine sponsored, which clarifies the definition of medical necessity to match modern standards of care, ensuring individuals with mental health or substance use disorders can depend on their insurance to cover life-saving treatment.

“Proper mental health care leads to more positive outcomes,” said Senator Fine. “We must fight for change until there is no mental health stigma in our society and people are able to get the help they need as soon as they need it.”

Committee proceedings are streamed live and can be viewed at ILGA.gov.

Illinoisans with disabilities could save for the future under Senator Fine plan

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to help families of individuals with disabilities plan for their financial futures, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) has introduced a bill that would empower Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account holders to protect their savings by designating a beneficiary.

“Illinoisans with disabilities and their families shouldn’t have to drown in legal fees because the current law doesn’t give them the flexibility to protect their savings and securely save for their futures,” said Senator Fine. “I’m proud to advocate for the disability community and fight for our most vulnerable populations across Illinois.”

Senator Fine’s initiative would make it easier for ABLE account holders to designate an account beneficiary without paying for legal assistance, thereby leveling the playing field for individuals with disabilities who come from families with low or moderate incomes.

“It’s important that we take a step back to look at all legislation from a socioeconomic lens,” said Senator Fine. “This amendment would make much-needed improvements to help ensure people in the disability community and their families have equal access to support and protection for the future.”

Senate Bill 539 has passed the State Government Committee and now goes to the full Senate.

Senator Fine fights for lower, more transparent prescription drug pricing

GLENVIEW – To advocate for a solution to skyrocketing prescription drug prices and high out-of-pocket costs for patients, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for a town hall Monday night to discuss a new bill that would require insurers to offer more predictable prescription medication coverage.

“An individual with cancer or another life-threatening disease should be able to follow the treatment plan set by their doctor without having to skip meals, mortgage payments or other necessities,” Senator Fine said. “Lower, more transparent prescription drug pricing is critical to improving health care access across Illinois.”

At the town hall, Senator Fine discussed the importance of affordable health care and highlighted current laws and new legislation to help reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenses.

Senator Fine has signed on to a bill that would require health insurance companies to offer plans with more stable specialty prescription drug coverage, such as a flat fee copay or a copay cap.

Of the more than 500 plans offered across all insurance companies and counties in Illinois, less than 10% provide patients with an affordable, predictable way to pay for specialty medicines. As a result, patients often don’t know the true cost of their prescription until they get to the register at the pharmacy.

“No patient should have to worry whether they’ll be able to afford their life-saving medication,” Senator Fine said. “Reasonable, reliable cost-sharing requirements can help give Illinois patients and families the stability they need to access care and better their health.”

Senator Fine is chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 275, which has been assigned to the Insurance Committee.

Senator Fine plan would give social services agents the tools to care for dementia patients

SPRINGFIELD – To help social services employees better identify, understand and protect patients with dementia, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is partnering with the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on legislation to improve training for employees of the Illinois Department on Aging’s Adult Protective Services division.

“For employees working to prevent abuse and neglect of older adults, it’s critical to be familiar with the symptoms of dementia and the types of abuse that most commonly affect patients living with it,” Senator Fine said. “A well-educated workforce means better protection for aging Illinoisans.”

The legislation would implement an annual two-hour training course for Adult Protective Services employees on the identification of people with dementia, risks such as wandering and elder abuse, and best practices for interacting with people with dementia.

The training would cover areas including symptoms of dementia; communicating with people with dementia; tips for lessening risk factors; how to connect people with dementia to local care resources and dementia care professionals; and common red flags that may indicate people with dementia are suffering abuse, neglect or exploitation.

“If you have had a family member or loved one suffer from dementia, you know they need specialized support and care,” Senator Fine said. “Through education, we can ensure better communication and understanding between older adults and social services agents.”

Senate Bill 331 awaits assignment to a committee.

To report suspected abuse, exploitation or neglect of an older adult, call the statewide, 24-hour Adult Protective Services Hotline at 1-866-800-1409.