SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Understanding the difficulty of going to the dentist, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is sponsoring legislation to provide children with special needs the dental services they need.
"The developmental disabilities that many children in our community live with can often necessitate different accommodations for even routine medical procedures," Smiddy said. "This measure will help families save out-of-pocket costs they can face when taking special needs children to the dentist in order to ensure they receive the care they deserve."
Smiddy is co-sponsoring House Bill 235, which, if it becomes law, would require insurance companies to cover sedation during dental procedures for individuals aged 26 and younger who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Autistic patients often require sedation for regular dental exams and surgery, which can cost parents and guardians thousands of dollars. Under current law, insurance companies are only required to cover sedation for children under the age of six.
"Dental care is critical to the long-term health of our children, and it's important to help all families have access to the dentistry their children need," Smiddy said. "I'm committed to working with interested stakeholders, families and my colleagues in Springfield to find way to provide Illinois families with proper medical care."
House Bill 235 passed the House Special Needs Services Committee unanimously and now awaits consideration before the full House.
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