CHICAGO – State Senator Rachel Ventura – along with several state legislators – joined Governor JB Pritzker on Wednesday to celebrate the signing of the Healthcare Protection Act aimed at reforming predatory health insurance practices and protecting patients.

“Insurance companies need to stop practicing medicine without a license. Ending prior authorization in mental health and step treatment is an important step to putting people over profits,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I'm proud to be a chief co-sponsor as Illinois leads the nation in ensuring affordable and accessible health care.”

The Healthcare Protection Act (HPA) is aimed at improving health care consumer experiences by banning step therapy and prior authorization for crisis mental health care, banning junk insurance plans, and ending unchecked rate increases for large group insurance companies. The legislation also eliminates prior authorization requirements for in-patient mental health care, recognizing that patients in need of urgent treatment are often not able to navigate and wait out a prior authorization process.

The HPA also requires insurance companies be transparent about prior authorization requirements when advertising coverage. Since in-network availability is often the only way patients can access care, the HPA also sets standards for appointment time availability and number of in-network doctors, ensuring patients can locate care in their area and have a transparent view of their in-network providers.

“The Healthcare Protection Act puts patients first and stops unfair insurance practices that have taken advantage of vulnerable people, leaving them with financial hardship, limited access to medical care, and increased stress,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “By pushing for more fair and transparent insurance practices, Illinois is building trust in the health care system and ensuring integrity within our insurance providers.”

The Healthcare Protection Act, House Bill 5395, was signed into law on Wednesday.