Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation aimed at improving health insurance practices in Illinois, including banning tactics that delay or deny necessary medical treatments and prohibiting the sale of short-term insurance plans that do not meet federal standards.
Governor JB Pritzker Signs Health Care Protection Act to Reform Insurance Practices in Illinois
According to the Audacy, Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois signed two important bills to fix health insurance problems in the state. The first called the Health Care Protection Act (House Bill 5395), stops insurance companies from using tricks that keep people from getting needed medical care. It bans things like “step therapy,” where patients have to try treatments insurers prefer before they can use the treatment their doctor recommends. It also stops insurers from making patients get approval before emergency psychiatric care.
This new law also makes sure insurance companies keep accurate lists of doctors and hospitals they cover. It gives the Illinois Department of Insurance power to approve or reject big changes in how much insurers charge for health plans that cover large groups of people. Governor JB Pritzker said Illinois is leading the way by being the first state to do some of these things for both adults and children.
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$12 Billion Boost to Illinois Healthcare: Governor JB Pritzker Signs Landmark Insurance Reform Bills (PHOTO: www.sj-r.com)
Governor JB Pritzker Signs Bill Ending ‘Junk Insurance’ Sales in Illinois Amid Bipartisan Health Coverage Debate
In another move, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 2499, which stops the sale of short-term, limited-duration insurance plans in Illinois. These plans, called “junk insurance” by critics, don’t meet the basic standards required by the Affordable Care Act. Supporters say these plans often leave people with high medical bills. While these bills had support from both Democrats and Republicans on some issues, disagreements over short-term plans showed divisions on how to provide affordable and adequate health coverage in Illinois.
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