Illinois State Senator Laura Fine

Senator Fine to require insurance plans to cover annual mental health prevention and wellness visits

Details: Category: Press Releases; Friday, May 19, 2023 11:30 AM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine, chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, is leading a measure to ensure Illinoisans can have annual mental health wellness visits covered under their insurance at no additional cost.

“Just as people need yearly physical checkups to make sure their health is in order, people need annual checkups for their mental health,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Covering these annual visits will encourage people to seek necessary treatment for their mental health.”

House Bill 2847 would require health insurance plans under the Insurance Code, State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the School Code to cover annual mental health checkups and wellness visits starting in 2025. It also encourages the Illinois Department of Public Health to engage in an educational campaign to bring awareness to the public regarding mental health and wellness. These initiatives will continue to normalize prioritizing and treating mental health concerns, leading to greater well-being throughout the state.

Senator Fine bill to establish take-back program for ‘forever chemicals’

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, May 17, 2023 01:18 PM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – PFAs, also known as “forever chemicals”, are of great concern to the environment and people’s health. To prevent these chemicals from further contaminating our environment, State Senator Laura Fine is leading a measure that will establish a “take-back” program for existing firefighting foams that contain these hazardous substances.

In 2021, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 561, which ends the manufacture and sales of firefighting foam with PFAs by January 2025. To further protect from these chemicals, Fine sponsored House Bill 3508, which will establish a take-back program for firefighting foam that contains PFAS. This program will run for five years or until the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal finds that no more firefighting foam contains PFAS. This is an important step to protect our environment and our ecosystem.

“Research has shown that the PFAs in firefighting foam can seep into our water supply and cannot be removed in the water treatment process,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “It is vital to stop the ongoing use of products with PFAS to preserve our environment and prevent adverse health effects.”

Senator Fine’s measure improving 988 call center operations passes Senate

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, May 17, 2023 12:38 PM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – In order to make the 988 hotline as effective as possible for hotline operators and people experiencing a mental health crisis, State Senator Laura Fine is launching an initiative to review data from the first year of operations and recommend updates for the future.

“As the 988 hotline is the most accessible form of mental health care in Illinois, it is imperative that we are operating it in the most effective way to provide the best care for Illinoisans struggling with their mental health,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This study will provide more insight into where we can grow and adjust our operations to better serve people experiencing a mental health crisis.”

Last year, Illinois launched the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a three-digit dialing code for a national suicide prevention and mental health hotline, offering 24/7 access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing a mental health-related crisis. The hotline has been beneficial to many Illinoisans, and this study will ensure we continue to improve the 988 system.

Senator Fine bill to create database on safety of children’s products

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, May 17, 2023 09:53 AM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – A new initiative from State Senator Laura Fine will require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to maintain a database on the safety of consumer products, making safety information much more accessible to protect Illinois children.

“It can be difficult for parents to know where to look for the most up-to-date information about product safety,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Having a standard database that caregivers trust will bring peace of mind to parents, as well as prevent tragedies from taking place.”

Currently, families and caregivers do not have a clear resource to check if a product or toy is safe for their child to use, or if there were any recalls of the product. DCFS is currently only required by state law to contact childcare facilities without internet access about relevant product recalls. Those facilities with internet access must research recalls through their own means.

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