In April, the Illinois House of Representatives passed the Illinois PIRG-supported Health Insurance Fairness Act. The proposed law is part of Illinois PIRG’s campaign to lower the cost of health insurance for Illinoisans by requiring the insurance industry to establish new consumer protections.

The vote came one month after the release of Illinois PIRG’s report, “Ensuring Accountability: Common Sense Policies for a Consumer-Oriented Health Insurance Market in Illinois,” which showed that containing costs and increasing transparency and accountability for the health insurance industry is good public policy, and won’t create higher premiums for consumers.

“With more and more Illinoisans losing their jobs—and their employee sponsored health care— the need for health care reform has never been greater,” said Emily Miller, staff attorney and health care advocate with Illinois PIRG. “But as our research shows, we can make health care more accessible and affordable without raising premiums.”

A Chance To Turn Things Around

The report came as the Legislature prepared to vote on the Insurance Fairness Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris, would ensure that every Illinoisan has access to affordable health insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions. It would also increase the transparency and accountability of Illinois insurance companies.

“In Illinois, insurance companies are allowed to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions,” said Miller. “They can spend as much of our premium dollar on their own profit as they please, and raise rates without any say from the state watchdog.”

“It’s time to reform health insurance in Illinois so that it works for Illinois families and small businesses, not for giant insurance corporations,” said Rep. Harris.