SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinoisans insured by the state may soon be able to saddle up during their therapy.
The state insurance program might soon include horseback riding in therapy coverage. A bill approved by the House Insurance Committee aims to widen insurance options to cover hippotherapy, provided it’s prescribed by a certified occupational or speech therapist.
Hippotherapy, or therapeutic horseback riding, involves a licensed therapist working alongside a skilled horse handler to help improve a person’s physical movement and cognitive abilities. This therapy is often recommended for individuals with conditions such as physical disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, arthritis, and in some instances, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The bill did not face any opposition in terms of formal witness slips. Representative Tracy Katz Muhl (D-Northbrook), who is backing the bill in the House, mentioned that this care will be beneficial for all involved.
“My younger sister, who is the director of Special Education for all of Boulder County, Colorado, got started as a volunteer for this program. It changed lives for both staff and participants,” she said.
The bill also expands coverage for other treatments, including post-mastectomy care. If the law passes, counties that are self-insured will also be required to cover these .
The bill passed the Insurance Committee with nine votes in favor and three opposed, and will now head to the House floor for debate. If passed and signed into law, the coverage would begin in 2027.
