Jones Takes on Big Insurance Companies, Votes to Protect Residents from Sudden Health Rate Hikes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is fighting to prevent unwarranted health insurance rate hikes by passing legislation stopping big insurance companies from taking advantage of their customers by raising rates for no reason.

“People deserve medical care that is dependable and affordable, not coverage that is going to cripple them financially without warning or leave them vulnerable during a health crisis,” Jones said. “Countless families rely on having steady access to health insurance, and if their rates skyrocket, it could mean disaster. A child with asthma might be left without an inhaler, or a parent might not be able to work to feed their family. We can’t allow these practices to continue.”

Jones is voted to pass House Bill 471, which requires the Illinois Department of Insurance review all major rate changes in Illinois health insurance plans. If the department rules the rate increase is unreasonable, the insurance company will be prohibited from putting those rates into effect.

“Insurance companies burden patients with outrageous health care bills in the name of improving their bottom line,” Jones said. “That does not justify gouging the sick out of huge chunks of their income. This bill shields Illinoisans from predatory insurers who only see people as numbers on a balance sheet.”