SPRINGFIELD, IL, May 28 -- This morning health care advocates will join Senator Steans, Representative Harris and small businesses representatives to announce their combined efforts to make health insurance more fair for Illinoisans. HB 3923, expected to pass this week, has broad support in both the Illinois House and Senate, and is supported by advocates, lawmakers, and businesses representatives alike.
Over 1.7 million people in Illinois have no health insurance. This legislation is an important first step in giving Illinoisans access to affordable quality health care.
“In Illinois, the lack of insurance industry transparency and accountability has lead to an unpredictable, unaffordable insurance market for small businesses and families,” said Emily Miller, Staff Attorney for the Illinois Public Interest Research Group. “This legislation symbolizes a landmark victory for all Illinoisans who need access to quality affordable health care.”
HB 3923 creates important consumer protections that will make the complicated health insurance marketplace an easier one for Illinoisans to navigate. Insurance companies will be held accountable when they unfairly deny claims.
"For the first time, this legislation gives people access to a fair and impartial appeals process if their health insurance company denies a request for treatment," said John Peller, Director of Government Relations for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "Finally, people with serious medical conditions will be able to appeal to an impartial expert if an insurance bureaucrat rejects a claim."
Under HB 3923, insurance companies will also have to report how much of each premium dollar consumers pay goes toward health care versus profit. Without this protection, Illinois insurance companies have been allowed to spend outrageous amounts of premiums on profit instead of health care.
Finally, this legislation creates a universal application small businesses and families can use when they are trying to buy insurance.
“We applaud the work of Senator Steans, Representative Harris and the many other legislators who will make the complex process of applying for and using health insurance more transparent and consumer-friendly,” said Kathy Chan, Policy Director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition.
While this legislation does not solve all the problems Illinoisans face with health insurance, it is a good first step. “This bill sets a precedent in Illinois—we are moving toward making health insurance fair and affordable for consumers,” concluded Miller.
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