Hoffman Proposal Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions Becomes Law

BELLEVILLE, Ill.– Legislation backed by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, aimed at protecting the 1.3 million Illinoisans who would lose their health insurance under proposed federal healthcare changes—particularly if they have a pre-existing condition—was recently signed into law.

“Working families stand to lose access to quality healthcare due to the extreme changes being pushed by politicians in Washington,” Hoffman said. “Pre-existing conditions should not determine whether or not residents are able to receive care.”

Hoffman sponsored House Bill 2959, which prohibits big insurance corporations from denying access to health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. The measure was a response to proposed federal changes to the healthcare system that would jeopardize 1.3 million Illinoisans’ access to life-saving care and saddle countless more residents with inferior healthcare plans and higher monthly premiums.

“Rather than stripping healthcare from millions of Illinoisans, we need to be working together to lower costs and improve care,” Hoffman said. “The well-being of our families should always come first and I’m proud of this bipartisan measure that ensures access to healthcare for working families in Illinois.”