Senator Harriss Issues Statement On Aetna Insurance Changes Affecting State Employees

The state senator says retirees could lose access to specialty services and doctors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine under changes to Aetna coverage.

Lynsey Whitaker - Illinois Senate Republican Staff

Oct 25, 2026 8:15 AM Oct 23, 2026 3:45 PM Save

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GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) releases the following statement regarding changes to Aetna health insurance coverage affecting state retirees receiving care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine:

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“Illinois retirees have spent their careers serving our state, and now they're being put in a position where they could lose access to specialty services and doctors they've trusted for years. The State of Illinois offers these retirees only one insurance option, yet that coverage may no longer include some of the region's largest healthcare providers. That's unacceptable. The state, Aetna and BJC need to come to the table and find a solution. Our retirees should not be left paying the price.”