Equine therapy could be more accessible under Murphy proposal
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SPRINGFIELD – A proposal from State Senator Laura Murphy would make certain equine therapies more accessible by requiring health insurance coverage for the services.
“Offering coverage for equine therapy is a testament to the state’s commitment to personalized, patient-centered care,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “By allowing occupational therapists the flexibility to offer this service to their patients, they can meet the unique needs of their patients and enhance their quality of life and well-being.”
Equine therapy is a term that encompasses therapies that involve interacting with horses, including specific therapies used by physical, occupational and speech therapists to engage different sensory responses for patients. It has proven to be particularly effective with veterans with PTSD and children with autism.
Read more: Equine therapy could be more accessible under Murphy proposal
Turner advances measure to improve training for emergency medical dispatchers
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure through committee to mandate training for emergency medical dispatchers on how to provide CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
“We are losing too many of our friends and family to heart disease,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Ensuring that our emergency dispatchers are well-equipped to handle these situations will save lives.”
Senate Bill 1295 would mandate all 9-1-1 telecommunicators to be trained in telecommunicator-CPR and would require emergency medical dispatchers to be trained in T-CPR. T-CPR is when a dispatcher provides over-the-phone CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. This process is a key part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest.
Read more: Turner advances measure to improve training for emergency medical dispatchers
Halpin’s bill to integrate the Quad Cities mental health system passes committee
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to support Rock Island mental facilities and vulnerable Iowa patients passed committee today.
“Health care access is a concern that crosses state lines,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Allowing Iowa patients to access Rock Island mental health infrastructure is a win-win, particularly with the quality care our facilities can provide.”
Senate Bill 188 would allow for Iowa involuntary in-patient admissions to be accepted at Rock Island County facilities in Illinois. Illinois law presently does not allow for involuntary admissions to cross state lines and patients may have to travel upwards of five hours away to receive care.
Read more: Halpin’s bill to integrate the Quad Cities mental health system passes committee
Villivalam measure to provide schools with cultural and religious calendar dates
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SPRINGFIELD — To assist schools in scheduling major school or athletic events, State Senator Ram Villivalam is sponsoring a measure that would require the Illinois State Board of Education to provide calendar dates indicating when a portion of students may be absent due to cultural or religious reasons.
“Our communities are diverse, which means there are numerous days throughout the academic year where different students may be absent for cultural or religious reasons,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Yet students are having to make challenging decisions such as having to miss a sporting event because it was scheduled on a religious or cultural holiday.”
Currently, the Illinois State Board of Education provides a guide for school districts regarding attendance days, holidays, special circumstances and frequently asked questions about school calendars.
Read more: Villivalam measure to provide schools with cultural and religious calendar dates
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