Anesthesia time limit ban arrives on Pritzker's desk, awaits signature

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan to prohibit arbitrary limits on anesthesia has arrived on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk.

Local lawmakers filed the plan after they saw insurance companies try to enforce time limits on anesthesia coverage.

Insurers were forcing patients to pay for additional anesthesia used if a surgery went on longer than the set time. Companies quickly ended that policy after receiving massive blowback, but sponsors said this bill needs to be signed into law to ensure it never happens in Illinois.

"These are so many other things you're worried about. You're worried about your health," said Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). "You're worried about your family. You should not have to worry about the time limit of anesthesia."

Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton) was the lead sponsor of the measure in the House.

House Bill 1141 received unanimous support in the House and Senate.

"It's in very little control of the patient, very little control of anesthesiologists, and even the surgeon has no control of length of surgery," Hauter said. "This is an outrageous policy, and HB 1141 makes sure this doesn't happen in Illinois."