State Sen. Johnson has introduced a bill to allow residents to seek mental health treatment closest to home, even if that means crossing the state border into Wisconsin. | Photo Courtesy of Sen. Johnson
State Sen. Johnson has introduced a bill to allow residents to seek mental health treatment closest to home, even if that means crossing the state border into Wisconsin. | Photo Courtesy of Sen. Johnson
State Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) introduced legislation that would allow people involuntarily committed for mental health treatment to receive care closer to home, even if that means crossing state lines into Wisconsin.
The bill would establish the Interstate Contracts for Mental Health Disorder Treatment Act, which would allow residents living along the border of Illinois and Wisconsin to be treated in either state.
“If you’re suffering from a mental health disorder, the last thing you need is to be separated from your loved ones,” Johnson said in a March 23 statement.
Residents living in northern Illinois are required to seek care in their home state, even if the closest qualified hospital or facility is in neighboring Wisconsin. This means they must often receive treatment hours away from their loved ones.
“SB1966 would allow residents to be treated at the facility closest to them, even if it’s across the WI border —it’s just common sense," Johnson said.
Under the measure, mental health facilities along northern Illinois border counties would be able to contract with county departments in Wisconsin to offer mental health or substance abuse treatment services. Likewise, Wisconsin residents near the state line would be able to receive such services at an Illinois facility.
“Many Wisconsin residents utilize Illinois services and have family in Illinois, and vice versa. By establishing this agreement, we’re helping residents throughout the region get well,” Johnson said.
Similar agreements have already been implemented successfully in Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. In those states, providers can accept patients from Wisconsin for mental health treatment.
Proponents believe the bill would play an important role in removing a key barrier that prevents some residents from receiving the treatment they need. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 44.6% of Illinois adults with mental illness receive any form of mental health care.
Johnson's proposal comes amidst the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan of 2021, which includes nearly $4 billion in funding for state and local mental health and substance abuse services.
The legislation advanced from the Senate Behavioral and Mental Committee on Tuesday. It will now advance to the full Senate.
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