Preston Measure Expands Speech Therapy Coverage for Stuttering (Springfield, IL) – Legislation led by State Sen. Willie Preston aims to expand insurance coverage for speech therapy services for individuals who stutter, broadening access to care across Illinois.
Preston, a Chicago Democrat, is sponsoring Senate Bill 2899, which would require health insurance companies to cover rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering. Current law only mandates coverage for habilitative services for children under 19 diagnosed with early-acquired speech-language disorders.
“Stuttering is something that a lot of people deal with, especially children,” Preston said. “I want to make sure those people do not have to go through their speech troubles on their own and can get the help they need.”
The proposal would extend coverage to include rehabilitative services, which are often needed by individuals who develop or continue to experience speech challenges later in life.
In addition, the measure would require Medicaid to cover both habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy for individuals age 21 and younger. Lawmakers estimate the legislation would cost the state approximately $1.9 million, though officials say the Medicaid expansion would not add additional state costs.
Preston said his personal experience with stuttering informs his push for the legislation.
“As someone who used to stutter, I know what it feels like to not be able to control your words, even though you wish you could,” he said. “This measure would give people a greater chance to do that, and make it so rehabilitative services are covered as well.”
Senate Bill 2899 passed the Senate Insurance Committee on Tuesday and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.
Preston Measure Expands Speech Therapy Coverage for Stuttering
