Yingling Fights to Lower Health Insurance Costs for Middle-Class Families

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his efforts to keep healthcare costs affordable, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is backing legislation that would keep health insurance rate increases in check.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, keeping health insurance affordable and accessible to everyone is critical to protecting our community,” said Yingling. “Health insurance companies should not be able to arbitrarily hike their rates and make it harder for working people to afford the health insurance they need.”

Yingling is co-sponsoring House Bill 146, which would require insurance companies to submit rates for all individual and small group accident and health insurance policies to the Department of Insurance (DOI). Companies raising rates must obtain approval from DOI, and rate hikes can be rejected for being an unreasonable increase. The bill would also improve transparency on the reasons for any rate increases.

Throughout his time as state representative, Yingling has fought to keep healthcare costs down for working families. He recently helped pass a healthcare reform package that would expand access to medical services for low-income residents and increase funding to many hospitals, in addition to many other provisions. Yingling also has worked to bring information and resources into the district by holding Healthcare Fairs and other events.

“No one should be unable to afford health insurance because of unnecessarily high costs,” said Yingling. “We must put the health of residents over the profits of insurance companies, no matter what.”