Kendall County Times

Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Aurora) sponsored legislation that would require health insurance companies to cover hormone replacement therapy for women who have undergone hysterectomies.

House Bill 5254 passed out of the House on Feb. 24 by a vote of 108-0, according to a press release on Wheeler's website.

“Women that I know in my own life and many others across Illinois have made the decision to protect their health by choosing to undergo a hysterectomy, from which they face the often difficult physical challenges of adjusting to a new normal,” Wheeler said in a statement published on his website. “By passing this bill into law, we will ensure that coverage for hormone therapy will be offered to patients who have undergone a hysterectomy to help them start the next chapter of their lives with the full range of health care options they need and deserve.”

According to Healthline.com, a hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a woman's uterus. Often, doctors will additionally remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries during surgery. Hysterectomies eliminate periods and the ability to get pregnant in women. The second most common surgery on women, a hysterectomy is performed on approximately 600,000 women yearly.

Common reasons for hysterectomies include uterine fibroids, cancer, endometriosis, adenomyosis, infection, hyperplasia, general abnormal bleeding, uterine prolapse, delivery complications, placenta accreta and gender-affirming surgery, according to Healthline.com.

According to Sidecar Health, the average cost of a hysterectomy in Illinois ranges from $6,978 to $13,445.

Wheeler noted on his website that the legislation has bipartisan support. In the Senate, HB 5254 is being sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

Wheeler has represented the 50th District of Illinois since Jan. 2015. His committee assignments include Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and IT; Revenue and Finance; Public Utilities; Prescription Drug Affordability; Labor and Commerce; Energy and Environment; Executive; Property Tax Subcommittee; Business and Industry Regulations; Commerce and Innovation Subcommittee; JobGrowth; Preservation and Traini; Minority/Disadvantage Analysis Subc; Wage Policy and Study Subcommittee; Workforce Development Subcommittee; Utility Rate Regu, according to ILGA.