Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill on Aug. 8 that says that health insurances or managed care plans must provide epinephrine injectors for anyone 18 or under.

An epinephrine injector is used to treat a life-threatening allergic reaction.

CNN reported that Illinois is the first state to pass such a bill. The bill is to take effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Senior Usma Rizvi has several allergies, one of them being nuts, which require her to have an EpiPen. Rizvi said that her insurance covers most of the cost of her EpiPens so the bill doesn’t really affect her family.

Junior Kirsten Kaminski has a peanut allergy for which she depends on an EpiPen. Kaminski said the bill also doesn’t really affect her family, “because insurance covers it and there’s a new device out that’s cheaper.”

According to the Illinois General Assembly, the bill only covers those who are insured or have a managed care plan.  Illinois Public Media said that the bill also “does not does not limit the prices manufacturers can charge for epinephrine auto-injectors.”

Senior Henry Gruben said that his insurance covers his epinephrine injectors and he has been getting the brand EpiPen for free in the more recent years when the brand he used before, Auvi-Q, was recalled.

“In the event that one (referring to the EpiPen) goes missing, it can cost a large sum to replace it.” Gruben said.

According to Consumer Reports, there are many brands other than the name brand “EpiPen” that are available to consumers for free or for much cheaper with insurance.

The Hill reported that the bill also allows insurance companies to decide which epinephrine injector brand that they want to; it’s not up to the consumer or the physician prescribing it.

According to the Chicago Tribune, “Still it’s unclear how much of a difference the measure will make. Many insurers already cover prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors. Coverage also doesn’t guarantee reasonable costs for consumers.”