FILE - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker addresses the crowd at the Old Post Office, June 28, 2023, in Chicago. On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Pritzker signed into law measures to block what he called insurance companies’ “predatory tactics to make an extra dime” by shortchanging consumers on their medical needs. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. J.B.
“For too long, insurance companies have used predatory tactics to make an extra dime at the expense of Illinois consumers,” Pritzker said. “For too long, patients have delayed or been denied medically necessary treatments because of profit-driver utilization management practices.” The legislation was drawn up after consulting medical professionals on the roadblocks they face to providing effective care, according to Pritzker’s office.
“It may be cheaper than being fully insured, but many of these junk plans do not cover behavioral health. They do not cover pre-existing conditions. They may not even cover hospitalization,” said one of sponsors of the legislation, Democratic Rep. Bob Morgan. “What kind of health plan doesn’t cover hospitalization? A plan that is not a plan at all.