SPRINGFIELD – Annual mental health wellness visits will be covered under a new law supported by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, a strong advocate for removing the stigma around mental health.

“Mental health checks can be as important as yearly physicals,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Society puts a lot of pressure on people. People need to have access to basic health care needs, including mental health care.”

The Loughran Cappel-backed law requires health insurance plans to cover annual mental health checkups and wellness visits starting in 2025. It also encourages the Illinois Department of Public Health to engage in an educational campaign to bring awareness to the public regarding mental health and wellness. These initiatives will continue to normalize prioritizing and treating mental health concerns, leading to greater well-being throughout the state.

“We have to fight to end the stigma,” said Loughran Cappel. “Easing access to mental health care will continue to normalize mental health checks, without leaving people to worry about the cost.”

House Bill 2847 was signed into law Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – Insulin, a life-saving medicine, will be capped at $35 under a law supported by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“Insulin is an essential medication for people with diabetes,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s time we put insulin-dependent people first by making the medication they need to survive more affordable.”

The new Loughran Cappel-backed law caps a 30-day supply of insulin at $35 for all private individual and group insurance policies.

More than 10% of the U.S. population has diabetes, according to the Diabetes Research Institute. 1 in 12 Illinoisans have insulin-dependent diabetes, approximately 1.3 million people.  According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the cost of insulin has risen 600% in the last 20 years, leaving Americans paying 10 times more for the medication than people in 32 other nations do—$98.70 on average compared to $8.81.

“Here in Illinois, we are putting patients over pharmaceutical companies and I am proud of the work we have done to cover life-saving medication,” said Loughran Cappel.

House Bill 2189 takes effect July 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – The cost of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPens, will be limited to a maximum of $60 per twin-pack under a new law supported by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel.

“People shouldn’t have to decide between paying for a life-saving medication and putting food on the table,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We are striving to make EpiPens more affordable and accessible for the people who need them most.”

Epinephrine Auto-Injectors are the only medication that works on the entire body to combat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. However, since 2017, a global shortage of these devices has made this medication increasingly difficult to obtain. Parts of the United States have experienced shortages since 2018, with the FDA permitting an extension of the recommended shelf life of EpiPens to combat the shortage.

In addition to the shortage, the cost of EpiPens has skyrocketed in recent years, with a twin pack costing anywhere from $500-700 on average, and a single injector costing anywhere from $300-400. This has placed a significant financial burden on families who need to keep multiple EpiPens on hand for emergencies.

“Medication that can save lives shouldn’t cost a fortune,” said Loughran Cappel. “By putting a limit on the cost, we are ending excessive health care costs for essential medicine.”

House Bill 3639 was signed into law Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – Women will be able to get vaginal estrogen when medically necessary without worrying if their insurance will cover it, under an initiative led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that was signed into law Friday.

“Taking vaginal estrogen can help with the side effects many women feel going through menopause,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to empower women and make sure they can live their best life.”

The Loughran Cappel law requires individual policy accident and health insurers to cover vaginal estrogen when it is medically necessary. The law prohibits insurers from imposing a higher deductible, co-payment, or any other cost sharing requirement on vaginal estrogen than it would for a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Vaginal estrogen is a form of hormone replacement that is typically used to treat vaginal dryness, itching, and burning, painful or difficult urination, or the sudden need to urinate immediately. These symptoms typically occur in women who are experiencing or have experienced menopause. Vaginal estrogen can cost as low as $350 and as high as $500 because of the area of absorption and the medication itself.

“Women shouldn’t have to worry about what it’s going to cost to take care of their health,” said Loughran Cappel. “We are providing the tools to enhance all women’s lives.”

House Bill 1565 takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.