Halpin Combats Unfair Rate Hikes from Big Insurance Companies

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is fighting for more affordable health care by passing legislation preventing big insurance companies from raising premiums for no reason.

“People need dependable health care and big insurance companies are putting them in jeopardy,” Halpin said. “These companies are chasing profits and they’ll do anything, even take away access to critical health care, to get them. Ballooning costs are putting families in danger of losing their insurance, and that has to stop.”

Halpin voted to pass House Bill 471, which requires insurance companies to submit all proposed premiums to the Illinois Department of Insurance for review. The department would review any proposed increases and have the power to reject any increase deemed unreasonable, prohibiting the insurance company from putting those rates into effect.

“Illinois deserves a stronger future, and building that future means ensuring people don’t have to worry about whether they can afford their health care,” Halpin said. “Parents shouldn’t ever worry that they can’t afford an inhaler for a child with asthma or an EpiPen for a child with a dangerous allergy. This bill will help prevent that from happening by keeping big insurance companies in check.”