Speaker Welch Celebrates Passage of Healthcare Protection Act in Illinois’ House of Representatives

MAYWOOD, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined Governor JB Pritzker and other dignitaries this week to celebrate the passage of HB5395, also known as the Healthcare Protection Act (HPA), in the Illinois House of Representatives. 

This legislation, passed by Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin), was originally proposed by Governor Pritzker in this year’s budget address. It aims to put power back in the hands of patients by banning step therapy, banning prior authorization for crisis mental health care, improving network adequacy, banning junk insurance plans, and ending unchecked rate increases for large group insurance companies. 

“I’m proud to work with Governor Pritzker, Representative Moeller, and the many champions of the Healthcare Protection Act in the House and Senate to advance these critical reforms aimed at making health insurance better and more affordable,” said Speaker Welch. “This bill puts patient care ahead of insurance profits, reins in rising costs, and helps people across Illinois access the care they need when they need it.”

“I’m pleased that dedicated advocates and legislators have made further progress in passing the Healthcare Protection Act, a bill that will curb predatory insurance practices and empower both doctors and patients,” said Governor Pritzker. “I want to especially thank the HPA’S lead sponsors, Senator Robert Peters and Representative Anna Moeller, two outstanding partners in the longtime fight for health insurance reform. Both you and your cosponsors are doing important work to advocate for Illinois families, and I’m proud to have you fighting alongside me.”

The Healthcare Protection Act targets three primary issues with the healthcare insurance industry: utilization management, network adequacy, and rate review. If signed by the Governor, Illinois will become the first state to ban prior authorization for crisis mental health care. 

The legislation passed the House last week and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.