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.

EVANSTON – State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced that Evanston is set to receive more than $800,000 in local transportation project funding over the next three years.

“Investing in our local infrastructure will create new jobs and foster economic development across the 9th District while ensuring our roads and bridges receive the essential improvements they need,” said Senator Fine. “I look forward to seeing the new projects our communities select to enhance our local infrastructure.”

This grant is part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into Illinois’ aging transportation system to create jobs and promote economic growth. The funding will be distributed in six installments over three years in addition to the regular contributions Evanston receives from the state.

Evanston will work with the Illinois Department of Transportation to select priority projects, which may include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs.

“Local investments are crucial in moving our state forward,” said Senator Fine. “This state funding could not have come at a more important time to help cities strained by rising costs from the pandemic.”

Other local communities, including Skokie and Glenview, are also set to receive funding.

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.

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.