SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill that would force insurance companies to cover the cost of anesthesia for the entire duration of surgery passed unanimously out of the insurance committee.
Currently, insurance companies could deny anesthesia coverage if the surgery goes on too long. State Rep. William Hauter (R-Morton) said this hasn't happened in Illinois, but his bill could stop insurance companies from potentially doing it in the future.
"It's in very little control of the patient, very little control of the anesthesiologists and even the surgeon has no control of length of surgery," Hauter said. "This is an outrageous policy and HB1141 makes sure this doesn't happen in Illinois."
Insurance companies have enacted these policies in Missouri, Connecticut and New York, where citizens can be forced to front the medical bill based on arbitrary time limits.
During the committee hearing, a few House Democrats asked to be signed on as co-sponsors of the bill.
"I just want to thank you for this bill," State Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield). "Trying to limit anesthesia during a procedure is one of the wildest things that I've heard."
The proposal now heads to the House floor for further debate.
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