Although the 2008 legislative session was dominated by politics trumping sound policy, Illinois PIRG made strides toward reforming our health care system.

Our health care advocate, Emily Miller, has been working to protect consumers and expose insurance industry spending. Thanks to e-mails and calls from our e-action network and the strong support of coalition partners, Illinois PIRG secured the necessary votes to pass an important consumer protection measure in the House of Representatives, and with refreshing bipartisan support.

Where The Money Goes

This bill requires health insurance companies to report how much of each premium dollar goes toward health care versus their own profit and administrative costs. In national stockholder reports, health insurance companies admit to increasing premiums and lowering payouts as a strategy to bring in higher profits.

This measure will bring such practices into the spotlight and allow the state agency watchdog to monitor and eventually eliminate this disgraceful practice.

“We have a health care crisis in Illinois. This bill is the first step in making sure our rising health care premiums are being used as they should—for our health care,” said Rep. Mary Flowers, lead sponsor of the bill.

“Politics has stalled health care reform for too long,” said Miller. “If the Senate cares about protecting Illinois consumers, it will join the House in passing this bill.”

Now the bill must be passed by a majority of the Senate before the governor can sign it into law. We will continue working with Flowers to fight against industry lobbyists and ensure the bill’s success.