Turner measure to prioritize patients over profit passes General Assembly

SPRINGFIELD – Anesthesia services, regardless of duration, would be cover by insurance companies under a measure led by State Senator Doris Turner.

“Insurance companies have taken advantage of people for far too long,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Insurance coverage isn’t a timeshare, and companies shouldn’t have the ability to sell plans like this.”

House Bill 1141 would require private insurers and all state group health plans to cover medically necessary anesthesia services, regardless of duration, for any procedure covered by the policy. 

Turner’s initiative comes in response to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's proposed policy change that would have placed a time limit on anesthesia in New York, Missouri and Connecticut. The company announced that it would begin setting a specific amount of time it would cover anesthesia costs for, depending on the procedure. After the time limit is reached, patients would have to pay out-of-pocket for the remaining anesthesia.

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Turner: We can’t let seniors be the target of deceptive practices

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner led a measure through the Senate to stop insurance companies from soliciting nursing home residents.

“We can’t let seniors be the target of deceptive practices by insurance companies,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Protections need to be in place to stop the endless flood of spam trying to swindle our seniors for a service they already have.”

House Bill 1865 would make it illegal to solicit a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility, or someone over the age of 65 to purchase accident and health insurance unless the insurance company waits 48 hours before making any insurance-related changes and the individual is given the ability to opt out.

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Turner: AEDs save lives

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would require AEDs in nursing homes.

“AEDs save lives,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Having them at nursing homes will increase the chances of survival during cardiac arrest.”

House Bill 1287 would require nursing homes to have an automatic external defibrillator by Jan. 1, 2030. Additionally, Turner’s measure requires all facility staff certified to use an AED to have completed courses in CPR and AED usage.

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Turner measure adding mental health resources to teacher IDs passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Teachers could soon see mental health resources on their school IDs under a measure led by State Senator Doris Turner that passed the Senate.

“As societal pressures grow, more people are prioritizing their mental health, helping to break down the stigma surrounding it,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Resources need to be easily accessible, especially for teachers who may need it for themselves or a student in a time of need.”

House Bill 3000 would require all school districts serving students in grades 6-12 to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline on all employee IDs.

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