House OKs Bill Boosting Insurance Coverage of Mental Health Treatments
Posted on: Thursday, 2 February 2006, 18:01 CST
By STATE CAPITOL BUREAU
The Illinois House approved a measure Tuesday requiring insurance companies to cover more outpatient mental health treatments.
House Bill 4202 calls for the number of covered outpatient visits for mental health treatment to increase from 35 annually to 60. Sponsoring Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said individuals with serious mental illnesses such a bipolar disorder or paranoid schizophrenia often need more treatment than what currently is allowed.
"We know those with mental illness are not getting, in every case, what they need in 35 visits," Lang said.
However, Rep. Terry Parke, R-Hoffman Estates, said the measure would burden business owners.
"They cannot afford mandate after mandate being forced upon them," Parke said.
Lang said the legislation applies only to employers with more than 50 employees.
House Bill 4202 was approved on an 82-31 vote. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.
River council
A Senate panel voted unanimously for a plan to create a new 13- member council to coordinate efforts to protect and restore the Mississippi River, its tributaries and its habitats.
Senate Bill 2360, sponsored by Sen. James Clayborne, D- Belleville, would establish the Mississippi River Coordinating Council. The governor would appoint the council's members.
The measure is an initiative of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.
Modeled after the existing Illinois River Coordinating Council, the new group would have a variety of duties. For instance, it would advise the governor and state agencies on spending affecting the Mississippi River and its tributaries. It also would review state and federal programs that affect the Mississippi River water basin.
The lieutenant governor chairs the Illinois River panel and also would chair the Mississippi River council.
The Senate Local Government Committee advanced Clayborne's bill to the Senate floor.
Source: State Journal Register
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