Welch Legislation to Help Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Keep Insurance

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is sponsoring legislation that would prevent insurance companies from denying people coverage because of their pre-existing health conditions.

“I am a firm believer that health care is a basic human right,” said Welch. “With the president’s recent failure at overturning the Affordable Care Act, we don’t know what is going to happen next, which is scary for a lot of people in communities across the state. This legislation will allow people in Illinois with pre-existing conditions to keep their health insurance, regardless of what legislation is passed in Washington.”

Welch is a sponsoring of House Bill 2959, which prevents insurance companies from denying people coverage based on pre-existing conditions. There are 1.3 million Illinoisans that could face higher costs if Congress eliminates the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Welch believes that access to health care is stability for families and the economy, and that access to coverage should not be taken away from people who struggle with health issues.

“Federal actions show that they are only looking out for big insurance companies looking to make more money,” said Welch. “This bill will allow Illinois to take proactive steps to protect people who need health care the most. The last thing that should be done is strip people of the care they rely on and force them to pay sky-high premiums.”