SPRINGFIELD – Birth centers across Illinois would have a path to permanent licensure, increasing access to quality, affordable health care for pregnant women, under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that passed the Senate Saturday.

“Pregnant women should not be limited in their choice of birthing style due to an inadequate number of freestanding birth center licenses in Illinois,” Senator Fine said. “Improving accessibility to birth centers will help bridge health care disparities across the state.”

Senator Fine’s legislation would create the Birth Center Licensing Act, lifting the current cap on the number of freestanding birth center licenses, so more women, especially those in marginalized communities, have access to the birthing style they prefer. Freestanding birth centers would still be regulated under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act, and licenses would have to be renewed every year.

Freestanding birth centers are a lower-cost option for expectant mothers seeking a more homelike approach to childbirth who do not want a hospital setting. There are currently just two freestanding birth centers in Illinois that provide this style of care.

“Establishing a permanent licensure pathway for freestanding birth centers is essential to supporting women who rely on their services throughout pregnancy,” Senator Fine said. “Giving women ample opportunity to seek a certified nurse midwife will give them autonomy over their health care and the chance to access quality services at a lower cost.”

House Bill 3995 passed the Senate with a vote of 59-0.

SPRINGFIELD – Treatment for mental, emotional and nervous disorders would be considered medically necessary by insurance companies under legislation from State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Saturday.

“We need to make sure insurance companies follow more consistent guidelines to determine medical necessity so individuals can seek immediate mental health treatment without having to worry about whether their care will be covered,” Senator Fine said. “Mental, emotional, nervous and substance use disorder treatment are all just as necessary as other kinds of medical treatment, and should likewise be covered as medically necessary care.”

Many patients seeking care for mental health conditions have found that their insurance companies refuse to cover their treatment because it has been deemed medically unnecessary according to a set of private and often complicated guidelines put in place by the insurer.

Senator Fine’s measure would require insurance carriers to consider mental health treatment medically necessary, in the same manner as substance use disorder treatment, to ensure individuals are not denied access to care. As many patients with substance abuse disorders also suffer from mental health conditions, this initiative would provide better transparency and consistency for those seeking both types of treatment.

“There is a rapidly escalating need for mental health treatment in our communities, especially with additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Fine said. “Ensuring coverage from insurance providers for medically necessary mental health treatment is a critical step for our state to prove its commitment to mental health.”

House Bill 2595 passed the Senate with a vote of 59-0.

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage for infertility treatments would expand beyond women in heterosexual relationships under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Women of all ages, medical histories, partner statuses and sexual orientations should receive coverage for infertility treatment,” Senator Fine said. “This expansion would open the door for more Illinoisans to become mothers.”

Current coverage requirements only protect infertility treatments for women under 35 who are unable to become pregnant after one year of trying, women over 35 who are unable to become pregnant after six months, and women who are not medically able to conceive.

Senator Fine’s measure would expand coverage to include single women and women unable to conceive with a partner.

“Anyone who wants to start or grow a family deserves to be covered for necessary infertility treatment on their journey to motherhood,” Senator Fine said. “I’m excited to work with my fellow legislators and mothers in the General Assembly to make coverage more inclusive for the millions of Illinois women struggling with infertility.”

House Bill 3709 passed the Senate with a vote of 49-6.

SPRINGFIELD – Epilepsy specialists would be reimbursed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for providing telehealth treatment services under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Telehealth has become beneficial for many individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this measure will help ensure Illinoisans can seek treatment in the way that’s most comfortable for them,” Senator Fine said.

More than 65 million people around the world are living with epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, and many have chosen to seek telehealth treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Fine’s legislation would ensure epilepsy specialists in Illinois receive the reimbursement they deserve for providing treatment via telehealth to individuals with epilepsy or related disorders.

“Illinois families should be able to receive timely and proximate treatment, and telehealth services are often the best option,” Senator Fine said. “Patients seeking telehealth treatment for epilepsy and related disorders will benefit from this legislation.”

House Bill 3025 passed the Senate with a vote of 57-0.