SPRINGFIELD – The prevalence of gambling is on the rise and with it has come an increase in addictive gambling behaviors. State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation to provide prevention, treatment and recovery services for people who experience problem gambling.

“Like many drugs, gambling activates an addictive part of our brain,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “People who struggle with a gambling disorder deserve the same help and treatment as someone with a drug dependency.”

With expanded access to gambling, the Illinois Department of Human Services found that 68% of adults in the state reported gambling in the past year. Approximately 383,000 people across the state are considered to have a gambling problem and 761,000 people are at risk for developing a gambling problem. By recognizing gambling problems as disorders, Senate Bill 3410 will enable DHS to coordinate prevention, treatment and recovery services.

SPRINGFIELD – The cost of managing diabetes can be a significant burden for many families. To help ease the financial strain experienced by people with the condition, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to expand insurance coverage for medically necessary glucose monitors and related supplies.

“Being forced to make the choice between insulin and other necessities is unacceptable,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is my goal to ensure that insurance companies adequately cover life-saving medication for people with all types of diabetes.”

Senate Bill 3414 would require insurance companies to cover glucose monitors, related supplies, and training on how to use glucose monitors for individuals diagnosed with any form of diabetes. Under the measure, a person would not need to have prior authorization for coverage for a glucose monitor and any physician would be allowed to prescribe them.

SPRINGFIELD – To help physicians meet patients’ end-of-life wishes, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to create an electronic registry to store treatment preferences for critically ill individuals.

“How much or how little treatment a person receives at the end of their life should be up to each individual instead of the one-size-fits-all approach,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This measure will enable physicians to access forms detailing patients’ wishes in a single, accessible location.”

Senate Bill 2644 would establish a statewide electronic registry that would contain Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment forms, which detail what type of medical treatment a critically ill patient does and does not want. POLST forms can help health care practitioners to uphold a person’s wishes regarding their care.

SPRINGFIELD – Nicotine companies marketing to kids is nothing new but now they’re creating vapes that are designed to appear to be school supplies, like a highlighter. State Senator Julie Morrison passed a measure to prevent these products from being advertised to children.

“The dangerous and addictive nature of nicotine consumption is the reason I have taken a strong stand on this issue,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We should do everything in our power to make it impossible for children to obtain and conceal tobacco products.”

Educators have complained to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services about finding electronic cigarettes on school property that are designed to look like school supplies such as highlighters, erasers and pencil sharpeners. Senate Bill 2662 would prohibit the advertising, marketing or promoting of an electronic cigarette in a manner that is likely to cause an adult to mistake it for an object that is anything other than what it is, a tobacco product.

SPRINGFIELD – Standing alongside health care providers and cancer experts at a press conference Tuesday, State Senator Julie Morrison outlined her plan to require insurance to cover preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer.

“Taking preventative measures increases the chances of survival and is more cost effective than treatment,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Since 1990, cancer mortality rates have dropped by 25%. This measure will increase early detection and improve prevention of all types of cancer. With this bill, we are moving the needle further in the right direction.”

Currently cancer screenings for certain types of cancer are covered as long as the patient meets the age requirement. Senate Bill 2697 would expand that coverage to include prevention and susceptibility cancer screenings for all types of cancer for people who have a family member affected by the deadly disease. Additionally, insurance companies would be required to cover genetic testing for an inherited gene mutation for individuals with a family history of cancer.

SPRINGFIELD – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – also known as DMD – is a rare disorder, but severe if not caught early enough to be treated. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a bill that would require all newborns to be screened for DMD.

“Although rare, DMD is a devastating disease – often taking children from their parents around the age of 5,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Early diagnoses of DMD will save precious lives and restore hope.”

SPRINGFIELD – Cancer is a serious disease that touches most lives in one way or another.  State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a measure that would require insurance to cover preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing for individuals with a family history of cancer.

“Taking preventative measures increases the chances of survival and is more cost effective than treatment,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Early diagnosis is the best way to tackle the deadly effects of cancer.”

Currently cancer screenings for certain types of cancer are covered as long as the patient meets the age requirement. Senate Bill 2697 would expand that coverage to include prevention and susceptibility cancer screenings for all types of cancer for people who have a family member affected by the deadly disease. Additionally, insurance companies would be required to cover genetic testing for an inherited gene mutation for individuals with a family history of cancer.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Julie Morrison is leading a measure to curb substance use disorders.

“People suffering from a substance use disorder deserve access to the lifesaving treatment they need,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “I am committed to removing the barriers that insurance companies put in place.”

Recent studies have shown that most people who could benefit from medications for substance use disorders don’t receive treatment. In 2022, there were 3,261 opioid overdose fatalities in the state – more than twice the number of fatal vehicle accidents and homicides. Senate Bill 3741 would improve these statistics by increasing coverage of and access to treatment by prohibiting insurance from requiring prior authorization for the treatment of substance use disorders.