CHICAGO – As the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) open enrollment deadline approaches, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, reminds residents to explore their health insurance options through the individual marketplace.

“It is important to me that families know all their health insurance options,” Andrade said. “The online exchanges are a useful tool to help you explore your options and see if you qualify for a subsidy so you can find the plan that fits your family’s needs and budget.”

Residents can access the federal exchanges to view their options at healthcare.gov or by calling 800-318-2596, or through Get Covered Illinois at getcovered.illinois.gov or by calling 866-311-1119. Andrade has supported a number of measures to expand and protect access to healthcare, including House Bill 2959, now law, which protects the portion of the ACA that mandates insurance coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions. He also supports House Bill 4900 to rein in the prices of generic drugs by giving the attorney general the ability to investigate and prosecute instances where drug manufacturers engage in price-gouging.

“Ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare must be a priority,” Andrade said. “Much remains to be done to reduce the costs of prescription drugs and provide comprehensive care. I pledge to continue that fight in Springfield.”

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – At recent satellite office hours in Romeoville, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, met with local constituents to provide a legislative update and to listen to their thoughts about improving health care.

“I’ve been watching the progression of health care legislation that Representative Manley has been working on,” said Misti Ludwig of Bolingbrook, who is a completing on her doctorate degree in nursing. “It was helpful to hear from her first-hand how she is trying to improve health care in Illinois, including by protecting insurance coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions.”

Manley supported House Bill 2959, which will prohibit health insurance companies from denying coverage to Illinois residents with a pre-existing condition, regardless of possible changes to Obamacare on the federal level. Manley also sponsored House Resolution 445, which opposes Congressional Republicans’ American Health Care Act due to concerns that it would cause residents across the state to lose access to insurance and life-saving care.

“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to have in-depth conversations with constituents, like Misti, who are experts in their field,” Manley said. “These discussions provide a better understanding of the challenges we face and what we should be doing to address them. I look forward to learning more as I continue to go around the district to meet with all of my constituents.”

Manley holds satellite office hours at Romeoville Village Hall, located at 1050 W. Romeo Rd. in Romeoville, every third Monday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The next satellite office hours will be held on Monday, Oct. 16.

BELLEVILLE, Ill.– Legislation backed by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, aimed at protecting the 1.3 million Illinoisans who would lose their health insurance under proposed federal healthcare changes—particularly if they have a pre-existing condition—was recently signed into law.

“Working families stand to lose access to quality healthcare due to the extreme changes being pushed by politicians in Washington,” Hoffman said. “Pre-existing conditions should not determine whether or not residents are able to receive care.”

Hoffman sponsored House Bill 2959, which prohibits big insurance corporations from denying access to health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. The measure was a response to proposed federal changes to the healthcare system that would jeopardize 1.3 million Illinoisans’ access to life-saving care and saddle countless more residents with inferior healthcare plans and higher monthly premiums.

“Rather than stripping healthcare from millions of Illinoisans, we need to be working together to lower costs and improve care,” Hoffman said. “The well-being of our families should always come first and I’m proud of this bipartisan measure that ensures access to healthcare for working families in Illinois.”

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Legislation co-sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, which would allow residents to keep their health insurance coverage, particularly if they have a pre-existing condition and regardless of changes to healthcare policy on the federal level, was recently signed into law. An estimated 1.3 million Illinoisans would lose access to care under President Trump’s proposed healthcare plan.

“In a time when we should be focused on ensuring more access to affordable healthcare, Washington politicians proposed to remove millions of our neighbors from having that vital access to care,” said Mussman. “My law alleviates the concerns of working families who would be forced to shoulder additional costs because of a pre-existing condition.”

House Bill 2959 prohibits big insurance corporations from denying access to health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Mussman co-sponsored this legislation in response to proposed changes to federal health law that would have jeopardized 1.3 million Illinoisans’ access to life-saving care, as well as saddled countless more residents with inferior healthcare plans and higher monthly premiums.

“This law puts patients’ needs first,” said Mussman. “While President Trump and Washington politicians seek to restrict access to affordable medical coverage, I want to make sure that Illinois families receive the life-saving care that they deserve.”

For more information, please contact Mussman’s constituent service office at (847) 923-9104 or by email at StateRepMussman@gmail.com.

CHICAGO – Legislation backed by state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, aimed at protecting the 1.3 million Illinoisans who would lose their health insurance under President Trump’s proposed healthcare changes—particularly if they have a pre-existing condition—was recently signed into law.

“With the healthcare of over a million at risk due to egregious attacks by President Trump and his right-wing allies, it’s critical that we are working proactively to protect care for Illinois residents,” D’Amico said. “This new law helps ensure that the protections put in place under the Affordable Care Act will continue for Illinois residents regardless of actions taken by politicians in Washington.”

D’Amico sponsored House Bill 2959, which prohibits big insurance corporations from denying access to health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. The measure was a response to proposed federal changes to the healthcare system that would jeopardize 1.3 million Illinoisans’ access to life-saving care and saddle countless more residents with inferior healthcare plans and higher monthly premiums.

“The Republican healthcare proposals that have been floated in Washington are putting corporate profits over the health and well-being of working families,” D’Amico said. “I am proud that we have a new law in place that makes Illinois a leader in protecting the right for residents to receive quality healthcare.

CHICAGO – Legislation backed by state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, aimed at protecting the 1.3 million Illinoisans who would lose their health insurance under President Trump’s proposed healthcare changes—particularly if they have a pre-existing condition—was recently signed into law.

“With our nation’s healthcare system facing unprecedented attacks by President Trump and his extreme, right-wing allies, it’s crucial that we are proactive in protecting the healthcare for every Illinois resident,” Andrade said. “This law ensures access to quality healthcare, regardless of preexisting conditions.”

Andrade sponsored House Bill 2959, which prohibits big insurance corporations from denying access to health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. The measure was a response to proposed federal changes to the healthcare system that would jeopardize 1.3 million Illinoisans’ access to life-saving care and saddle countless more residents with inferior healthcare plans and higher monthly premiums.

“Republicans in Washington have worked hand-in-hand with big insurance to maximize corporate profits and reduce care for working families,” Andrade said. “Corporate profits should never come before the health and well-being of families in our communities.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Committed to ensuring that no one be denied care because of their medical history, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, member of the Latino Caucus, is urging Governor Rauner to sign bipartisan protections for Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions that were passed by the General Assembly at the end of May.

“While Trump and his extreme allies in Congress have for now failed to force through their dangerous and irresponsible changes to federal law, it doesn’t mean that the fight to protect access to health care is over,” Hernandez said. “So at the state-level we must be proactive and bring about much needed peace of mind to the millions of Illinoisans who stand to lose their coverage if federal law is radically changed by an agenda that would deny people care because of a pre-existing condition.”

Hernandez backed state-level protections for people with pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes or heart disease at the end of the spring legislative session. Millions of Illinoisans have a pre-existing condition, and Hernandez’s House Bill 2959 would prevent insurance companies selling policies in Illinois from discriminating against those most in need of care, regardless of what happens in Washington.

“Health care is one of the most important and personal aspects of a person’s life and it’s unacceptable that Governor Rauner has yet to speak out against the efforts to make it less accessible,” Hernandez said. “If we truly want to make is easier for working families to succeed, we must work like never before to expand access to quality and affordable health care to all people. And with all of the chaos coming out of Washington, this legislation is a first step in the right direction, so I urge the governor to sign it into law.”

House Bill 2959 passed the House and Senate with veto-prove majorities, and has been sitting on Gov. Rauner’s for 22 days awaiting his consideration.

State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez is a member of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and represents the 24th District, which includes Cicero, Little Village, Berwyn, Brookfield, Riverside, and Stickney.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Concerned about the effects that proposed changes to federal healthcare would have on vulnerable residents, state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, is encouraging Governor Rauner to sign a measure that would protect health care coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions in Illinois.

“Individuals with pre-existing conditions depend on the protections of Obamacare to ensure that they receive the coverage and care they need,” Greenwood said. “Without that protection, the cost of care would be devastating on them and their families. It’s critical that regardless of what happens in Washington, we need to care for our residents in Illinois.”

Greenwood sponsored House Bill 2959, which would prohibit insurance companies in the state from excluding health care coverage to residents with pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions that would allow health insurance companies to drop coverage potentially include arthritis, lupus, diabetes, C-sections, stroke, high cholesterol and more. The proposal was in response to proposed changes to healthcare on the federal level by congressional Republicans. Despite this, House Bill 2959 received bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly, and has now been sent to the governor’s desk.

“The bipartisan support for this bill shows that this issue should not be treated as a partisan matter,” Greenwood said. “This is an opportunity to show that we are willing to put aside politics and ensure that we protect those who depend on healthcare to live the life they deserve.”

Residents who wish to urge the governor to sign House Bill 2959 can call his office at 217-782-0244.

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is urging the governor to sign legislation that would protect health care coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions in Illinois in the event there are changes made to federal healthcare provisions.

“There is a real possibility that changes to healthcare on the federal level will leave residents with pre-existing conditions without health coverage,” Manley said. “This would be devastating to them and their families both financially and with their well-being. We need to ensure that we do not ignore these individuals here in Illinois.”

Manley backed House Bill 2959, which would prevent insurance companies in Illinois from denying access to health care coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions that would allow insurance companies to drop coverage include arthritis, lupus, diabetes, C-sections, stroke, high cholesterol and more. The measure received bipartisan support and has been sent to the governor’s desk.

“There remains a lot of uncertainty regarding possible changes to healthcare,” Manley said. “By signing House Bill 2959, the governor can help make it clear that in Illinois we prioritize those most in need of care and assistance.”

To urge Gov. Rauner to sign House Bill 2959 and protect people with pre-existing conditions, residents can call his office at 217-782-0244.

CHICAGO – To protect the 1.3 million Illinoisans who would lose their health insurance under the healthcare proposal being pushed by President Trump and his extreme allies in Washington, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is urging governor Rauner to sign legislation sitting on his desk that would allow residents to keep their health coverage, particularly if they have a pre-existing condition.

“Trump’s health care plan strips away access to healthcare for 22 million Americans, so he can increase profits for big insurance and give huge tax breaks to his millionaire and billionaire friends,” Andrade said. “No one should lose their health care because of a pre-existing condition, it’s absolutely unacceptable that Republicans in Washington are putting the profits of corporate insurance companies over the health and well-being of working families.”

Andrade sponsored and voted to pass House Bill 2959, which prohibits big insurance corporations from denying access to health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Andrade sponsored this legislation in response to proposed changes to federal health law that would jeopardize 1.3 million Illinoisans’ access to life-saving care, as well as saddle countless more residents with inferior healthcare plans and higher monthly premiums.

“Governor Rauner needs to stand up to President Trump and the huge insurance companies that are trying to maximize profits by denying coverage to Illinois families,” Andrade said. “This proposal received bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. The time to act is now governor—do your job, stand up for working families in Illinois, and sign this bill.”