Maura Hirschauer supports HB5492 mandating insurance coverage for 12-month hormone therapy prescriptions

Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-49th) cast a Yes vote for HB5492, a measure requiring insurance coverage for 12-month supplies of prescription hormone therapy, as recorded by the Illinois House. The legislation cleared the House with a 75-39 vote during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026.

The bill text identifies the legislation under the title: "PRESCRIPTION HORMONE THERAPY."

This summary aims to clarify the bill's intent, based on the actual legislative language.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, this law would require most Illinois individual and group health insurance plans—including state employee benefits and Medicaid—to cover a 12-month supply of prescription hormone therapy and necessary self-administration supplies prescribed by in-network providers and provided at once. The bill lays out what constitutes covered hormone therapy, specifically excluding glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs. Health plans may continue using certain drug management practices and restrict late refills after a 12-month supply. Plans must also provide access to out-of-network services when mandated. Pharmacists and other providers would be required—except in certain outlined circumstances—to dispense a 12-month supply at the patient's request.

HB5492's legislative action is recorded as 'Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 House Concurs.'

Hirschauer earned a bachelor's degree from Colby College.

A Democrat, Hirschauer has served in the Illinois State House since 2021, representing the 49th House District after succeeding Karina Villa.

Illinois legislation undergoes a multi-stage legislative process: introduction in one chamber, committee consideration, floor debates, votes in both chambers, and, finally, the governor's approval or veto. The General Assembly has a biennial cycle; while several thousand bills are introduced during each session, only a small portion complete the process to become law.