SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A set of five plans crafted by State Senate Democrats hope to alleviate some of the struggles many Illinoisan face when it comes to mental health care.
Some of these bills would specifically target the insurance industry, such as a proposal that would remove the one visit a week limit for mental health care, allowing patients unlimited visits to their mental health provider.
Another possible plan could prohibit private insurers, Medicaid and state group health plans for charging higher prices if the insuree receives mental health treatment out of network.
Because of these possible expansions, insurance companies could raise the rates for mental health coverage, but State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) says those companies have money to spare.
"To me at the end of the day, they seem to have enough money to pay for TV ads, they have enough money to buy a new yacht, they have enough money to sponsor global soccer teams," Peters said. "All we're asking is that people who are going through crises and need support and need care that they can get it."
Other bills would award scholarships to diverse students pursuing mental health careers and another one which would require new training for mobile mental health relief teams.Â
One of the last bills they talked about was SB1225, which would hope to address the mental health worker shortage. It would allow parents and guardians to become mental health care workers through the child care assistance program run by the Department of Human Services.
Most of these bills are either in committee or on the Senate floor, where lawmakers could talk about them in the coming weeks.
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