Full Text of SR0936 103rd General Assembly
SR0936 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY | | | SR0936 | | LRB103 40347 LAW 72587 r |
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| 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION | 2 | | WHEREAS, Every day, first responders are required to | 3 | | manage traumatic events, from fires to shootings, and these | 4 | | events have the potential to leave lasting effects on their | 5 | | mental health; and | 6 | | WHEREAS, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services | 7 | | Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that 75% of police officers | 8 | | have reported experiencing a traumatic event; that same source | 9 | | found that 30% of first responders develop behavioral health | 10 | | conditions, including depression and post-traumatic stress | 11 | | disorder (PTSD), which is a third higher than the general | 12 | | population; and | 13 | | WHEREAS, The Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology | 14 | | reported that police suicide rates are 69% higher than the | 15 | | general population, and more police die by suicide than in the | 16 | | line of duty; and | 17 | | WHEREAS, Medical costs can serve as a deterrent to | 18 | | obtaining proper care, with the National Council for Mental | 19 | | Wellbeing revealing that 42% of the U.S. population views | 20 | | costs as a barrier to pursuing mental health services; and | 21 | | WHEREAS, The Center for American Progress presented that |
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| 1 | | the cost of psychotherapy ranges averaging from $100 to $200 | 2 | | per session, and insurance companies can pass up to 40% of | 3 | | treatments costs on to patients; for weekly therapy sessions, | 4 | | this can easily add up to over $2,000 a year in out-of-pocket | 5 | | costs for just one family member; and | 6 | | WHEREAS, First responders should not have to face barriers | 7 | | to obtain the treatment they need to manage the resulting | 8 | | trauma they experienced while on the job, and making mental | 9 | | health care more affordable better helps people receive the | 10 | | proper care they need; and | 11 | | WHEREAS, Research has shown that access to treatment not | 12 | | only improves a first responder's ability to do their job but | 13 | | also provides the public with first responders who are able to | 14 | | execute their duties in optimal form; and | 15 | | WHEREAS, Current legislation under consideration by the | 16 | | Illinois General Assembly is seeking to remove cost-sharing | 17 | | requirements for mental health treatment, including insurance | 18 | | deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for police officers, | 19 | | firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and | 20 | | veterans; therefore, be it | 21 | | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL | 22 | | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the U.S. |
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| 1 | | Congress to support the mental health of first responders and | 2 | | to create and pass legislation to remove existing barriers to | 3 | | mental health treatment for individuals who respond to | 4 | | emergencies for the benefit of all; and be it further | 5 | | RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be | 6 | | delivered to all members of the Illinois Congressional | 7 | | Delegation. |
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