Gordon-Booth Lauds Health Insurance Reform, Looks to Lower Costs and Expand Care for Residents

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, is pushing an insurance reform plan that would expand health care access and lower costs for families by cracking down on large rate increases, banning “step therapy” and stopping “junk insurance” plans that provide no real coverage.

“This is a measure that can save lives and lower health care costs for people across our state,” Gordon-Booth said. “It’s going to put patients first, protect consumers and help more residents receive the quality care they deserve and expect.”

Gordon-Booth sponsored and voted in support of House Bill 5395, known as the Health Care Protection Act. The proposal strengthens rate review processes requiring insurance companies to justify premium increases, while also prohibiting insurance companies from selling inadequate, short-term “junk insurance” healthcare plans that provide little or no coverage. Additionally, the measure aims to eliminate prior authorization hurdles for mental health care, and targets the practice known as “step therapy” – a requirement that patients try a medication or treatment other than what was prescribed, and “fail first” before their prescribed treatment is covered.

“By removing hurdles to care, this measure will help patients and doctors pursue effective treatment plans sooner,” Gordon-Booth said. “I appreciate the advocacy from Governor Pritzker on this initiative, and I hope to see it signed into law very soon.”

House Bill 5395 passed the House with bipartisan support, and is currently under consideration in the Senate.

For more information, please contact RepJGordon@gmail.com.