SPRINGFIELD — Further addressing health care gaps across Illinois communities, State Senator Mattie Hunter spearheaded a new law to close genetic counseling and testing disparities.

“Across the health care field, we continue to see many communities face a lack of providers, specialists or general care services, leaving residents without the care they need,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Neighbors are having to travel further or go without care because of these gaps.”

Currently, the Department of Insurance sets the minimum ratio of certain physicians and providers to plan beneficiaries to ensure timely access to health care doctors, specialists and hospitals.

The new law provides that the Department of Insurance should consider establishing network adequacy ratios for providers of genetic medicine and counseling.

According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, clinical genetics is a medical specialty that uses genetic health and genomic information to diagnose and treat hereditary disorders, maintaining and improving the health of individuals.

“Health care disparities such as chronic health conditions continue to be persist in our communities, it is imperative that we work to ensure that specialists, such as genetic counselors, are available to our neighbors,” said Hunter.

House Bill 1331 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026.