Walsh Helps Pass Measures to Protect Local Families’ Access to Health care

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Washington politicians push for reckless changes to federal law which would strip insurance from people with pre-existing conditions and increase premiums, state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet, 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.

“Donald Trump and his extreme Washington allies are pushing through a plan that would deny health care to tens of thousands of Illinoisans, allow big businesses to pad their profits as middle-class families’ premiums continue to skyrocket,” Walsh said. “During these times of uncertainty, I want to ensure our residents with pre-existing conditions will still be able to receive the care they need.”

Walsh 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.

Walsh 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. His 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, Walsh 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, Walsh’s House Bill 2959 would prevent insurance companies from selling policies in Illinois from discriminating against the sickest, oldest and most in need of care. The legislation passed the House with bipartisan support.

“I believe the ability to receive quality care when you’re sick is a fundamental right, and I will continue fighting to protect our most vulnerable from the extreme policies of Donald Trump,” Walsh said. “I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this measure and the governor to sign it into law.”