ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker has been rallying support for the Healthcare Protection Act in tour stops across Illinois, including one today in Rockford.
Pritzker was at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center on Tuesday to explain what the bill, which has been passed in the House, could mean for patients, doctors, and insurance companies.
"With this bill, we’re putting power back in the hands of doctors and patients," Pritzer said.
The law would ban step therapy, which insurers use to require patients to use a less-effective drug treatment before moving up to the options initially prescribed by doctors.
It would also require insurers to offer enough in-network doctors to meet patients’ needs.
"For far too long, insurance companies, not doctors, have been free to determine what treatment options patients should have and how quickly they can receive it," Pritzker said today.
"Too many patients get hit with an unexpected roadblock when they’re forced to wait a long time for permission from their insurance provider or before they can receive care, It’s an unhealthy and an unfair system," he added.
OSF’s Chief Medical Officer Lisa Davis agrees.
"My colleagues here will say that they spend a large portion of their days not doing that direct, hands-on patient care that they need to do, fearing that the land mines that they encounter. We’re trying to do our best for our patients," she said.
If the HPA passes through the Senate, the proposal would make Illinois the first state in the U.S. to ban prior authorization for in-patient mental health care.
"Those who are in crisis should never be forced to navigate difficult insurance policies, especially in those moments of crisis," Pritzker said.
The bill would also add Illinois to a list of 12 states banning "junk" insurance plans, which offer temporary and often incomplete coverage.
"This bill will save lives and it will lower health care costs for millions of Illinois," said Pritzker.
The Governor said he is confident the bill will pass and be signed into law.
