SPRINGFIELD — A new law championed by State Senator Willie Preston will expand insurance and Medicaid coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy for stuttering, helping more Illinois children and young adults access critical treatment and support services.
“Too many young people who stutter face barriers to getting the care they need,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This law helps remove those barriers and ensures more families can access critical treatment and support services.”
The new law expands coverage for speech therapy to include rehabilitative services starting Jan. 1, 2028. Coverage currently applies to habilitative services for any child under 19 years of age with an early-acquired disorder that is diagnosed as a speech-language disorder, including stuttering.
Additionally, the law requires Medicaid to cover both habilitative and rehabilitative stuttering therapies for individuals 21 years old and younger.
For Preston, the issue is personal.
“I know firsthand how challenging it can be to live with a stutter,” Preston said. “When you struggle to communicate, it can affect every part of your life. This law is about making sure young people have access to the tools, support and treatment they need to find their voice and be heard.”
Senate Bill 2899 was signed by the governor Thursday and takes effect July 1.
