Willis Passes Controls on Health Insurance Rates, Protections for People with Preexisting Conditions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Washington politicians push for reckless changes to a federal law which would strip insurance from people with preexisting conditions and increase premiums, state Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, is fighting to stop massive insurance companies from gouging middle-class families and ensure no one can be denied care because of their medical history.

“Our neighbors deserve access to healthcare regardless of any preexisting medical condition,” said Willis. “Denying people, from cancer patients to kids with disabilities, from the treatments and procedures they need to be healthy would be devastating to millions of families throughout the state.”

Willis sponsored and voted to pass House Bill 2624, which creates an independent Health Insurance Rate Review Board to review and approve proposed insurance premiums and block unjustified increases intended only to increase corporate profits at the expense of consumers.

Additionally, Willis passed state-level protections for people with pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes or heart disease. While Washington politicians continue fighting to repeal federal protections for these at-risk individuals, Willis’s House Bill 2959 would prevent insurance companies selling policies in Illinois from discriminating against the sickest, oldest and most in need of care. The legislation passed the House with bipartisan support.

“Families in our community would be protected from Washington’s disastrous healthcare policies under these measures,” said Willis. “The healthcare needs of working people, seniors and children must be prioritized over the profits of large insurance companies.”