Burke 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. Kelly Burke is fighting to stop massive insurance companies from gouging middle-class families and ensure no one can be denied care because of their medical history.

“With so much uncertainty at the national level, I believe we must take action to help protect health care access and affordability for middle-class families,” Burke said. “Health insurance companies should not be raising rates simply to pad already excessive corporate profits.”

Burke 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 politicians in Washington do.

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

“Many of us know someone who has a preexisting condition and who struggled to cover the costs of high-risk health insurance,” Burke said. “My measure protects these individuals and ensures they will continue to have access to care.”