Hoffman Passes Insurance Cost Controls, Protections for People with Preexisting Conditions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Washington politicians push for reckless changes to federal law which would strip insurance from people with preexisting conditions and increase premiums, state Rep. Hoffman, D-Swansea, is fighting to stop massive premium increases and guarantee no one can be denied care because of their medical history.

“The people at risk because of these cruel cuts are not just in some place far away,” Hoffman said. “They live with us as neighbors, friends and even family. We need to ensure that they not only have access to health insurance, but it affordable to them.”

Hoffman backed a series of reforms this week that that will protect middle-class families by blocking insurance companies from raising premiums simply to pad their corporate profits and from denying care to individuals with preexisting conditions, regardless of what become Federal law.

Hoffman voted to pass House Bill 2624, which would protect middle-class families and seniors from the double-digit rate increases that many see year after year. The measure creates an independent Health Insurance Rate Review Board which will scrutinize proposed insurance premiums and block unjustified increases intended only to increase corporate profits at the expense of consumers.

Additionally, Hoffman passed state-level protections for people with pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes or heart disease. While Washington politicians continue fighting to repeal federal protections for these at-risk individuals, Hoffman’s supported House Bill 2959, which would prevent insurance companies selling policies in Illinois from discriminating against the sickest, the elderly and most in need of care. The legislation passed the House with bipartisan support.