Sen. Preston takes on serious issue with new bill
Proposed legislation undoubtedly would help thousands across the state
Although stand-up comics, scenes in movies, as well as families and friends make fun of it; stuttering is no laughing matter, and a South Side State senator has introduced legislation that will make insurance companies and other see the how serious the issue is.
Sixteenth District State Sen. Willie Preston, who has only been in office two years; recently introduced legislation that if passed will have a positive impact on thousands, possibly tens of thousands of Illinoisans.
SB 40 would require health insurance companies to cover habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy for stuttering. This comes as some insurance plans limit coverage based on the type of disease, injury, disorder or other medical condition that resulted in stuttering.
Approximately 3 million Americans have some degree of stuttering.
Taking on a behemoth such as the insurance industry is a heavy lift for a relatively new state senator, but Preston appears to have been steadfast in garnering support for the legislation. “Speech disorder therapies should be available to all who need them, and insurance companies should cover those therapies just as other health care services are covered, “said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
“Without access to treatment, speech disorders can increase the risk of low self-esteem and social anxiety, as well as lower educational attainment and diminish career opportunities. I appreciate Sen. Preston’s leadership to ensure these vital services are accessible to all Illinoisans.”
Preston has worked with Pennsylvania State Representative Brandon Markosek and former NBA star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, both of whom stutter and have benefited from speech therapy. He worked in conjunction with Kidd-Gilchrist's non-profit, Change & Impact, and the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association to create this legislation.
Preston’s colleague, Sen. Laura Murphy, explained the lifelong impact of stuttering this way "Regardless of age, individuals should have access to speech therapy services if they have a speech problem.” "By removing roadblocks to treatment, we are creating a path to empower people to speak with confidence, increase their independence and express their ideas, thoughts and feelings clearly." Murphy is a Democrat whose district takes in Des Plaines.
She also brought residents from her district to testify at the first hearing.
Preston shared that until the age of 12 he stuttered; and currently has a college-aged son who is working to overcome a stuttering issue. Preston explained that this bill could remove cost barriers for people seeking treatment with state, private or Medicaid insurance coverage.
The bill has been assigned to the Senate Insurance Committee. The bill now must be presented for a second and third reading before being presented to the full senate. If the senators vote in favor of it, then it will move to the State House of Representatives. An affirmative vote there means it moves to the governor’s desk for his signature. It is not expected to be enacted before 2027.