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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois will ban arbitrary limits on anesthesia coverage thanks to a bill Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law Friday.

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 if a surgery went on longer than the set time. Companies quickly ended that practice after receiving public backlash, but sponsors said the law is needed to ensure this doesn't happen again.

"There are so many other things you're worried about," said Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). "You're worried about your health, 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 this legislation in the House. 

The measure 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." 

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