Fact checked by Derick Wilder
The American College of Cardiology and the Association of Black Cardiologists championed Senate Bill 1418, which unanimously passed the Illinois Senate and House in May. The bill, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law on Aug. 15, mandates health insurance coverage for peripheral artery disease (PAD) screenings for individuals at risk in Illinois. This includes adults over age 65 and younger patients with risk factors.
PAD is a circulatory condition that results from narrowed arteries limiting blood flow to the limbs. It affects 7 million to 12 million Americans and about 200 million people globally, according to the American Heart Association. Each year, approximately 200,000 people undergo avoidable amputations due to PAD, but covered screenings could help detect the disease earlier and reduce that number.
Therese Guida, advocacy chair of the Illinois chapter of the American College of Cardiology, says the legislation could inspire similar efforts nationwide. “It sets an example for the rest of the country,” she says. “We hope that we can be an example for other states and hopefully for the nation to follow suit.”
