Mason Advances Plan to Protect Access to Health Care

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is fighting to preserve health insurance for individuals with pre-existing conditions by sponsoring Senate Bill 2026, which she passed out of the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday.

“There have been proposed changes to health care at the federal level that would slash life-saving coverage for people with pre-existing conditions,” said Mason. “That is why I am sponsoring this legislation—to send a clear message that in Illinois, secure health care for our most vulnerable residents is a top priority.” 

Mason is sponsoring Senate Bill 2026, which prevents Illinois from applying for federal “State Relief and Empowerment” waivers without approval from the General Assembly. The waivers would allow Illinois to limit health care options in a variety of ways such as restricting enrollment and cutting coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions.

“Access to health care is not a privilege, it is a basic human right that everyone should be able to afford,” said Mason. “I will proudly continue to support legislation that puts local families’ health care first, not the big insurance companies.”