Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law on Aug. 9, 2019, that would require health insurance policies in his state to cover epinephrine injectors for children 18 and younger. House Bill 3435 will be effective on Jan. 1, 2020.

Epinephrine is the only treatment for a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis and is only available with a prescription. Children who have severe food allergies need epinephrine with them at all times to promptly treat anaphylaxis.

Congratulations, Illinois! And thank you to Governor Pritzker, State Senator Julie Morrison and all the other Illinois lawmakers who made this possible. This is a major step toward making epinephrine more accessible to families with children with food allergies.