SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker's signature could increase access to behavioral healthcare and substance use treatment by improving insurance adequacy. This comes after state lawmakers spent three years working on the mental health parity plan.

The proposal calls on the Illinois Department of Insurance to utilize a new formula to calculate minimum reimbursement rates for providers and publish them in a bulletin for insurance companies. Sponsors said proper compensation could encourage more behavioral healthcare specialists to join insurance networks.

"There's a cost to do nothing," said Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago). "Our constituents and, in fact, many representatives and senators in this chamber, and reporters I've talked to about this bill, are bearing the cost now by paying out-of-pocket $300 or $200 for their therapy sessions on top of their monthly premiums."

Many hope people with state-regulated health plans will no longer be forced to choose between paying high out-of-pocket costs or foregoing care.

"Behavioral health accounts for just 3% of all healthcare spending under private insurance," said Heather O'Donnell, director of behavioral health strategy for the DuPage County Health Department. "Multiple studies by independent economists have shown that if insurance companies actually increased behavioral health spending, then healthcare spending would decrease."

The insurance industry is opposed to this change, but lobbyists told lawmakers they agree with 90% of the plan. Senate President Don Harmon said he was glad sponsors were able to gain strong bipartisan support to get the bill across the finish line.

"When I first came to the Senate, we were still debating whether mental health should be viewed on parity with physical health," Harmon noted. "While I'm glad we have won that battle rhetorically, we still have a long way to go to put our money where our mouths are."

House Bill 1085 passed out of the Senate on a 48-10 vote and received a 86-19 vote in the House.

Requirements outlined in the bill will apply to insurance plans starting Jan. 1, 2027, if Pritzker signs the measure into law. 

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