A new Illinois law taking effect on January 1 will make cutting-edge cancer therapy more available to state residents.
Proton Beam therapy is used to treat some kinds of cancer with focused beams to target the exact depth and location of cancerous cells.
Republican State Rep. Norine Hammond and Democratic State Sen. Dave Koehler sponsored the law that requires insurance companies to cover the treatment when recommended by a physician. While Medicaid covers the treatment, private insurers in Illinois have often refused, costing families tens of thousands of dollars.
Northwestern Medical Proton Center is the only facility delivering Proton therapy in Illinois currently. However, OSF Hospital in Peoria is expected to finish construction of a one-room center by 2024.
