Critics concerned seizure detection bill impacts Illinois' small
businesses
[March 12, 2026]
By Sean Reed, The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Legislation that could make insurance companies
cover seizure detection devices is advancing at the Illinois Statehouse.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Julie A. Morrison, D-Lake Forest,
mandates health insurance plans in Illinois cover medically prescribed
seizure detection devices, ensuring that individuals can access these
devices without additional barriers like prior authorization or
cost-sharing.
A number of seizure detection devices are FDA-cleared and alert
caregivers to seizures in real-time, potentially reducing
hospitalizations and saving lives of epileptic patients, according to
the Danny Did Foundation, a non-profit in support of the bill.
Mary Duffy, the executive director of the foundation, told the Illinois
Senate Committee this week that seizure detection devices are not
routinely covered by insurance, despite their preventative nature.
While widely in support of the nature of the bill, opposition have
raised concerns with specific aspects of the bill.
Representatives from the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council and
the National Federation of Independent Business testified to their
concerns about increased costs for small businesses and an exemption of
state employee health plans in the bill.
“Any one mandate probably doesn't add a significant portion to the cost
of health insurance, but over time that adds up. And when there are
significant concerns today around affordability of health care, health
insurance is a reflection of the cost borne in the system,” said Laura
Minzer, president of the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council.
Minzer also said she had concerns with the bill’s removal of prior
authorization, along with the groups that are excluded from the
legislation.
“Certainly, it does raise eyebrows when one of the larger payers
including the state group health has been exempted out for reasons of
cost,” Minzer said.
Noah Finley, the Illinois state director for the National Federation of
Independent Business, shared Minzer’s concerns, noting his organization
did not take a position on the bill until it was amended to exclude
certain health plans, such as for state, school and local government
employees.
“This legislation specifically carves out the state and state employee
health insurance plans. Our position is that if it's too expensive for
the state to afford this coverage, then it's too expensive for Illinois
small businesses,” Finley said.
Supporters, including Duffy, spoke in favor of the bill at Tuesday
evening’s hearing.
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Illinois state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, speaks during an
interview in Springfield. Photo: Greg Bishop / The Center Square
Pediatric neurologist Dr. Rebecca Garcia-Sosa spoke to the variety
of improvements the devices have provided her patients.
Citing medical research, she said the devices often cause a
reduction in seizure-related injury, leading to a long-term cost
benefit by limiting ER visits and hospitalizations due to injury.
“Although there's been compelling evidence that these seizure
detection devices can help in so many ways. Unfortunately, they
haven't been widely recommended by physicians because of the
prohibitive cost for many individuals,” Garcia-Sosa said.
During questioning, Sen. Jason Plummer asked why the bill would make
small business and private payers bear the brunt of the cost, while
the state would be exempt.
“I'm trying to understand why. The part of our economy that's struck
the most – if you look at employment numbers, if you look at
economic activity, if you look at new new entity start-ups – our
small and medium-sized business community is in really rough shape
right now in Illinois,” Plummer said.
Morrison pushed back, saying it would be cost-saving in the long run
for small businesses.
“They need those employees to show up, come to work, not be at the
hospital with the kid, not be up all night, not be the patients
themselves. I think there is a cost benefit,” Morrison said.
Plummer then questioned if the state shouldn’t then benefit from the
savings as well.
“If we do pass this legislation, it will be at the height of
hypocrisy,” Plummer said.
Committee members ultimately voted in favor of the bill 9-1, with
Plummer being the only “nay” vote. Senate Bill 2762 will be brought
to the floor for a second reading Thursday.
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