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Morrison advances measure ensuring insurance coverage for seizure detection devices

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison lead legislation through the Senator providing coverage for medically necessary seizure detection devices – bolstering treatment and diagnostic access for those suffering from seizure disorders.

“Detection is a first line defense for many diseases and disorders – but it is only helpful if the technology or education that can alert a patient or their loved ones is accessible to them,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “By expanding access to live-saving medical technology, like seizure detection devices for those suffering from seizure disorders, we are taking an active step in preventing hospitalizations and improving quality of life for residents.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, roughly 2.9 million adults and 456,000 children across the United States suffer from epilepsy or another seizure disorder. Detection devices were created and are accessible by patients affected with seizure disorders to better diagnose, aid and treat seizure events.

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Fine measure securing insurance coverage for eye medication passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure patients can consistently access the medicines they depend on, State Senator Laura Fine is leading legislation to safeguard insurance coverage for topical eye medications.

“Patients shouldn’t have to choose between following their doctor’s instructions and fighting their insurance company for a refill,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This measure ensures that people who rely on eye drops for conditions like glaucoma can maintain their treatment uninterrupted. Vision is too important to be delayed by insurance red tape.”

Read more: Fine measure securing insurance coverage for eye medication passes Senate

Preston measure expands speech therapy coverage for stuttering

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston is spearheading a measure that would require health insurance companies to provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering.

“Stuttering is something that a lot of people deal with, especially children,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “I want to make sure those people do not have to go through their speech troubles on their own and can get the help they need.”

The measure would expand coverage for speech therapy to include rehabilitative services. Coverage currently applies to habilitative services for any child under 19 years of age with an early-acquired disorder that is diagnosed as a speech-language disorder, including stuttering.

Read more: Preston measure expands speech therapy coverage for stuttering

Johnson outlines stronger protections for domestic violence survivors

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson stood alongside advocates from the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence at a press conference Tuesday to outline legislation aimed at uplifting survivors, addressing emerging forms of digital abuse and expanding access to legal protections.

“The internet has opened new avenues for digital harassment, but not all of our laws and protections reflect that,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation is about updating our laws to reflect the digital era and addressing the real, tangible needs of survivors.”

Senate Bill 3020 would update the state’s criminal laws to better reflect the ways abuse can occur in the digital age and to ensure survivors have greater access to court protections. Johnson’s legislation would expand the definition of harassment to include conduct such as electronic tracking, doxing and the nonconsensual creation or dissemination of digitally altered sexual images and other harmful online content.

Read more: Johnson outlines stronger protections for domestic violence survivors