What is a common illness can turn into a catastrophic brain disease that, until now, health insurance companies didn't cover.
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal virus- or PANDAS- affects one in 200 children. It can be treated and cured with a series of intravenous antibiotics, but until now insurance didn't cover the 12-thousand dollar cost.
State Representative Deb Conroy authored legislation to require coverage, which Governor Bruce Rauner signed it into law in Lombard. The Villa Park Democrat Conroy says it was a hard fight.
Governor Rauner praised the bipartisan effort that made caring for children a priority. He says Illinois is now the first state in country to require insurance companies to cover PANDAS.
