Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Governor Pat Quinn Signs Two Bills to Benefit Youth

From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn

CHICAGO – April 7, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn joined with Senator Jackie Collins (D - Chicago), Senator Kirk W. Dillard (R-Westmont), Representative Barbara Flynn Currie (D - Chicago), Representative Kathy Ryg (D - Vernon Hills) and advocates for children to sign Senate Bill 1013 and Senate Bill 101 which benefit Illinois’ children.

“I am proud to join these legislators here today to help our children by protecting their health and ensuring their bright future,” said Governor Quinn.

Senate Bill 1013, sponsored by Senator Heather Steans (D - Chicago) and Representative Currie, expands the Redeploy Illinois Program which provides critical services for at-risk youth between the ages of 13 and 18. Redeploy Illinois provides funding to counties for local agencies to deliver services such as therapy, substance abuse treatment, life skills education and victim-related services.

With the Governor’s signature, the program will expand from a pilot program to a permanent initiative and allow more counties to be involved.

The Governor also signed Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Senator Crotty and Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R - Glenview), which requires health insurance policies to cover habilitative services for children under 19 years of age with a congenital, genetic or early acquired disorder.

Habilitative services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and other prescribed services to treat disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.

2 comments:

Apraxia Mom said...

Wonderful news! When does SB 101 go into effect? Is it automatic, or is there a delay in the time that insurance companies are required to cover such benefits?

Thanks so much!

Roxanne said...

It's about time! I'm so glad someone is willing to stand up for my child and not allowing Aetna to deny the insurance coverage for therapy he desperately needs to overcome his neurological problems. Thank you so much!