* WGEM…

This pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, both physically and mentally. Gov. JB Pritzker signed two bills into law Wednesday to improve access to mental health care.

Illinois is now the third state to require insurance companies to cover mental health care. It’s also the first state to move to a system where mental health professionals respond to mental health emergencies.

House Bill 2595 requires all insurers to provide coverage to treat mental, emotional, nervous, and substance use disorders. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2023. Meanwhile, the Illinois Department of Insurance must file a report to the General Assembly on how it will check for compliance by the start of next year.

Sponsors say this law can help families easily seek treatment for mental health disorders without worrying about insurance coverage.

* I received a few press releases on that bill, but here’s one…

Health is Health, a campaign advocating for commonsense mental health and addiction care, celebrated the signing of HB2595 into law by Governor Pritzker. HB2595 advances access and equity in mental health care which will save lives.

“HB2595 becoming law is a vital step toward ensuring the well-being of Illinoisans around the state who struggle with mental health challenges,” said Illinois State Senator Laura Fine, chief sponsor of the new legislation in the Illinois State Senate. “Moving forward, accessing and affording care will be within reach of thousands in need.”

“Our communities are facing a mental health and addiction crisis that is only worsening,” said Illinois State Representative Deb Conroy, chief sponsor in the Illinois State House. “This legislation will increase access to mental health treatment, giving people with mental health and substance use disorders the ability to access treatment sooner and get on the road to recovery.”

Large inequities have long existed in how health plans covered mental health care. Many insurers used flawed and discriminatory guidelines to avoid paying for the mental health care and treatment services granted under existing federal law. HB2595 will change that by requiring health plans to cover medically necessary mental health and addiction care, ensuring that individuals and families get the care they need and is their right.

* Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 2746, the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act, into law. The legislation aims to provide potential student borrowers with critical information, allowing them to make informed decisions about how to responsibly finance their education. The bipartisan legislation passed unanimously in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly.

“Since the beginning of my administration, I have focused on ensuring our students of all backgrounds have the resources and support they need to achieve their educational goals. This legislation builds on those efforts by providing students with the information they need to be confident in their borrowing decisions,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Determining the best financial path to achieve a higher education degree can be daunting and the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act will help build transparency in that process for our young people and their families.”

“For millions of student loan borrowers, the struggle of making loan payments has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact,” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “Students should not be faced with a lifetime of debt because they were unaware they were eligible for federal aid. I appreciate Governor Pritzker’s signing this legislation that will protect borrowers and give my office the tools to better address the student loan crisis.”

HB 2746 requires private educational lenders to work directly with higher education institutions to determine the enrollment status of a potential borrower, as well as financial assistance available to them. Private lenders must also file quarterly reports with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Student Loan Ombudsman. Illinois higher education institutions are required to certify with the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board that the provisions outlined for lenders in the legislation are being followed.

* Press release yesterday…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1840 which advances health equity by lowering costs and improving access to care for low-income and uninsured residents.

“I’m proud to sign this legislation that will expand access to medical care for all our Illinois residents,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is taking yet another step toward expanding health equity and ensuring that cost is not a barrier to receiving vital medical services.”

“Cook County is grateful to Senator Hunter, Representative Lilly and Governor Pritzker for the passing and signing of SB 1840,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This historic piece of legislation will improve the process required by hospitals to screen and connect uninsured patients to life-saving resources and financial assistance programs, and provide increased transparency surrounding hospital community benefits reports. By opening up new doors for our most vulnerable residents and infusing a new level of transparency into our system, this law will have a positive impact that will be felt throughout Cook County for years to come.”

“Expanding access to health care includes improving hospital community benefit plans,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). “This measure offers patient-centered changes and increased options for affordable care, which is crucial to bring equity to our communities.”

* Capitol News Illinois…

He also signed House Bill 2784 to create a mental health first responder system in coordination with an emergency mental and behavioral health phone system that was created by federal law.

The Division of Mental Health of the state’s Department of Human Services is preparing to coordinate mental and behavioral health services to all Illinoisans as part of the federally mandated adoption of the 988 phone number. The number is expected to go online by July 2022.

The new law will require 911 call center operators to coordinate with the mobile mental and behavioral health services that are being established through the Division of Mental Health, which is also establishing regional advisory committees in each Emergency Medical Services region.

Pritzker has signed more than 570 bills thus far and vetoed a handful.