SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could require insurance companies to cover screening for peripheral artery disease.
The disease is common when blood flow is blocked from reaching the foot. Most patients are asymptomatic until it is too late, and it oftentimes causes severe health issues that require amputations.Â
Doctors told lawmakers earlier this spring that a patient's chance of survival drops 20% five years after an amputation. Screening would be given to anyone above the age of 65 or people that have a history of smoking, lung disease, and heart issues among other health indicators.
"My brother passed away from a similar disease. He had his leg amputated and passed away," said Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet City). "This bill seeks to identify and help at-risk individuals and allow them to have their blood pressure taken through their legs."
Senate Bill 1418 passed unanimously out of the House. It previously gained unanimous support in the Senate.
"This is completely savable," said Dr. Shadi Halabi. "If we prevent this disease early on, we can save those amputations and save those lives."
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