SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Research shows that introducing small doses of allergenic food in baby food can reduce the chance the new-born would develop a serious allergic reaction to those allergens.
A bill in the Illinois House could force accident or health insurance to cover at least 6 months of allergen supplement baby food.
The plan was introduced by State Rep. Margaret Croke, who said both insurance companies and families could benefit from the proposal.
"I see a lot of preventative costs in doing this both from the insurance business side but also from a family perspective side," Croke said. "This will really impact families for the better."
Some of the Republicans voiced some support for the bill, with some surprised that this isn't already a bill in place.
"I think just in my lifetime peanut allergies have quadrupled," State Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Pekin) said. "If it saves an ER visit that's a pretty good ROI."
The bill passed out of committee on a partisan 9-5. It will now head to the House floor where lawmakers can continue their discussion on the plan.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
