Jones-Sponsored Law Preserving Healthcare for Illinoisans with Pre-Existing Conditions to Take Effect Jan. 1

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As President Donald Trump and Washington politicians continue debating changes to federal healthcare policy, a new law sponsored by state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, will ensure all individuals with pre-existing conditions will continue to have access to health insurance in Illinois, regardless of changes made at the federal level.

“As Donald Trump continues attacking President Obama’s historic health insurance reform, I am determined to protect Illinois residents from losing access to healthcare,” Jones said. “It’s time for Trump and Washington Republicans to work on strengthening our healthcare system, not slashing protections just to boost the profits of health insurance companies.”

House Bill 2959 amends the state’s insurance code to prevent individual or group accidental health insurance coverage companies from imposing pre-existing condition exclusions. The proposal was drafted in the wake of proposed changes to healthcare on the federal level by Congressional Republicans. House Bill 2959 received bipartisan support in passage.

“Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that insurance companies should not be allowed to discriminate against those living with pre-existing conditions,” Jones said. “I am proud we came together to protect healthcare coverage for millions of Illinois families and I will continue fighting against Donald Trump’s efforts to strip away the consumer protections we fought so hard to implement.”