A new law will require insurers to cover prostate cancer screenings.  State Senator Emil Jones III pushed for the new law that will mandate and require private insurers to allow men to get annual prostate cancer screenings free of charge.  Senator Jones says it’s important to know the risks. 

State Representative La Shawn Ford says it’s extremely important for black men to get treated for prostate cancer, due to the numbers showing that more are at risk.

Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law on Friday.  It goes into effect on January 1st, 2024. The American Urological Association estimates that more than 10,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. 

House Bill 5318 will require all private insurers to provide all qualifying male policyholders with an annual prostate cancer screening upon the recommendations of a physician.