SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s veto of legislation aiming to protect health care coverage for all Illinois residents, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, issued the following statement:

“One of my top priorities as a legislator is addressing the rising cost of healthcare and the barriers that prevent many families in our community from getting the care they need. Senate Bill 2026 would have helped to protect every Illinoisan’s right to access to quality, affordable health care, regardless of what extreme politicians in Washington do.

“It is critical that we protect middle-class families and seniors from health insurance plans that cover less for a higher cost. This legislation would prevent the State of Illinois from applying for federal waivers that undermine the Affordable Care Act, potentially stripping away protections for pre-existing conditions and allowing insurance companies to profit off of low-coverage policies that put our families’ health at risk.

“As a single mom who has struggled to make ends meet, I know all too well the undue financial burden healthcare can be on a family. I’m disappointed in the governor’s decision to veto this bipartisan legislation, but am more motivated than ever to work to keep Illinois families healthy.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois residents with pre-existing conditions will be protected from health care cuts at the federal level under a bill backed by state Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, preserving critical consumer protections.

“Health care for millions of Illinoisans is at risk due to laws being pushed by President Trump and his extreme allies in Washington,” Kalish said. “It’s vital that we enact protections at the state level to protect care for our families.”

Kalish is supporting Senate Bill 2026, which rejects the Trump administration’s waivers, which would allow insurance companies to sell low-coverage plans that do not cover pre-existing conditions. Without approval from the General Assembly, Illinois would be prohibited from entering into these waivers without explicit approval of the Legislature.

“Health care should not be a privilege for a select few, it’s a basic human right,” Kalish said “Stripping heath care for working families to boost profits for big insurance companies is simply wrong. I will continue to do everything I can in Springfield to ensure that families in our community have access to quality care.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In light of President Donald Trump’s various attempts to strip health care coverage away from Illinois residents with pre-existing conditions, state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is backing legislation that would ensure the State does not enter into enrollment restricting waivers being pushed by the president’s administration.

“Every Illinois resident should have access to quality, affordable care, regardless of their medical history,” Didech said. “This legislation is about protecting middle-class families and seniors from plans that cover less for a higher cost.”

Didech is supporting Senate Bill 2026, which would prevent the State of Illinois from applying for federal ‘State Relief and Empowerment’ waivers being pushed by the Trump Administration. Ultimately, the waivers would do away with certain protections provided by the Affordable Care Act, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions, by expanding coverage options that are less comprehensive or less affordable than those available in the marketplace today.

“While there is more work to be done to improve the health care system, this is a necessary step in the right direction,” Didech said. “We must be proactive at the state-level to combat the agenda of out-of-touch politicians in Washington, ensuring we are protecting access to quality and affordable health care for middle-class families.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to Donald Trump’s extreme attacks on health care, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is supporting legislation to help maintain health care coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

“Healthcare should be a fundamental right for all Illinois residents, and we cannot allow politicians in Washington to strip away protections and increase rates for those who are most in need of coverage,” Mussman said. “This legislation will affirm our commitment to protecting middle-class families from Trump’s extreme agendas and ensure that residents across the state have access to quality, affordable care.”

Under the Mussman-backed Senate Bill 2026, Illinois would be prohibited from applying for federal waivers that the Trump administration is pushing to gut protections for those with pre-existing conditions currently covered under the Affordable Care Act. This legislation would prevent Illinois from entering into waivers to reduce or eliminate coverage without approval from the General Assembly.

“We must act now to stop the Trump administration’s efforts to dissolve the right to affordable healthcare,” Mussman said. “The most vulnerable citizens are being targeted, and this measure will help protect those with pre-existing conditions from losing the health care they need.”

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fighting to protect peoples’ health care, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is sponsoring legislation that would prevent Donald Trump from stripping away pre-existing condition coverages.

“While Donald Trump is attempting to roll back health care protections for people with pre-existing conditions, I am standing up for middle-class families who deserve to keep their coverage,” said Carroll. “Illinois should not allow Trump to undermine these necessary protections that affect so many people.”

Carroll is sponsoring Senate Bill 2026 that would prevent the Trump Administration from undermining coverage of pre-existing conditions. Following changes at the federal level, states would be allowed to diminish health care options for consumers through “State Relief and Empowerment” waivers. Carroll’s bill would ban Illinois from applying for those waivers.

“My family and I rely on health care plans that treat us fairly and everyone should have access to the best possible care,” said Carroll. “I will do everything in my power to prevent Donald Trump and his allies from diminishing peoples’ health care just for the sake of big insurance company’s profits.”

VILLA PARK, Ill. – With the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment deadline approaching, state Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, is encouraging residents to sign up for health insurance coverage through the exchanges.

 “The individual market place is a great tool to find a plan that best suits the needs of your family and to find out if you qualify for subsidies to reduce your costs,” said Conroy. “With the Dec. 15 deadline approaching, I encourage all individuals in need of health insurance to learn more about their options and enroll for the best option for their needs.”

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. DuPage residents may use dupagehealth.org/get_dupage_covered to find free assistance in navigating the marketplace at an upcoming event or through one-on-one assistance.

“Providing care to those with pre-existing conditions and reining in the prices of prescription drugs remain my legislative priorities,” Conroy said. “While there are those who ignore and dismiss the concerns of unaffordable or inadequate coverage, I will continue to fight to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation backed by state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, which prevents health insurance companies from denying care to Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions has gone into effect as of Jan. 1, 2018.

“With all of the chaos coming out of Washington, we must be proactive in order to protect the healthcare of every Illinois resident,” Crespo said. “This is a crucial measure that will prevent big insurance companies from denying care to those who need it most, regardless of what President Trump and his extreme allies in Congress do.”

Crespo voted to pass state-level protections for people with pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes or heart disease. While Donald Trump and his extreme allies in Congress have continued to fight to weaken protections for these at-risk individuals, the Crespo-backed bill would prevent insurance companies that sell policies in Illinois from denying care to someone because on their medical history. According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, about 26 percent of non-elderly Illinoisans have a pre-existing condition.

“In a time of increased partisanship, I am encouraged to have seen both sides of the aisle work together to put in place common sense protections,” Crespo said. “Middle-class families and seniors deserve the peace of mind when it comes to their healthcare, and this new law will protect their access to life-saving services.”

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.”

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.