SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a landmark measure that would eliminate prior authorization for HIV treatment and make it easier for people to receive vital preventative care.
“Removing barriers imposed by prior authorization and getting people living with HIV into treatment quickly is the path to healthier, longer lives,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).
Disparities in health outcomes, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, often stem from limited access to high-quality prevention and treatment services, like PrEP – an HIV preventative medicine.
To bolster statewide efforts to improve access to preventative care and HIV treatment, Feigenholtz is leading House Bill 2584. The measure would require private insurers to cover pre-PrEP HIV and sexually transmitted infection screenings.
Further, Feigenholtz’s proposal would remove the prior authorization requirement for PrEP, PEP and HIV treatment medication coverage. PrEP and PEP medications are up to 99% effective in preventing HIV when taken as prescribed, according to AIDS Foundation Chicago.
“This proposal represents a vision for what health equity in Illinois should look like,” Feigenholtz added. “We must address this often-ignored crisis head on, which means standing with LGBTQ+ communities and stepping up to repair some of the devastating human services cuts made by the Trump administration.”
House Bill 2584 was heard in a subject matter hearing Tuesday and awaits further action.
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