By AP/KWMU
Springfield, IL – Insurance companies would have to help pay for prescription contraceptives under legislation the Illinois General Assembly passed today.
The House passed 72-to-39 a bill requiring coverage for contraceptive pills and devices. It now goes to the governor for his approval.
Democratic State Representative Sara Feigenholtz of Chicago is the bill's sponsor. She says medical bills for unwanted pregnancies in Illinois is as high as $17 million a year.
Danville Republican Bill Black complained that the measure would cost the state more than $10 million annually just to cover state employees. He says that's too much for the state while it faces a budgetary crisis.