SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston advanced legislation to require health insurance companies to provide coverage for speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering.

“In Illinois, we are committed to accessible and affordable health care,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This legislation removes financial barriers for those seeking speech therapy services. It gives them the opportunity to access necessary services, financial relief, encouragement, and support.”

Senate Bill 40 would require health insurers to cover habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering for those covered by private or public insurance plans.

Additionally, the legislation would ensure the coverage would not be subject to any maximum annual benefit limit, including the number of visits to a speech-language pathologist, and would not be permitted to be limited based on the type of disease, injury, disorder or other medical condition that resulted in stuttering.

This bill spearheaded by Preston is modeled Kentucky legislation requiring coverage for habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy for stuttering when a licensed medical professional determines such therapy as medically necessary.

Preston himself developed a stutter when he was 12 years old and fought through that challenge on his own. He believes this legislation would assist folks who went through a similar experience to him and remove the cost barrier for those seeking treatment.

“I started abruptly stuttering and I practiced speaking in the mirror every day because I wasn’t lucky enough to have the care afforded to me that I want to ensure others have,” said Preston. “Those who overcame their speaking impediment through therapy can have a better quality of life.”

Senate Bill 40 passed the Insurance Senate Committee on Tuesday.