SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bipartisan group of Illinois senators passed the massive Healthcare Protection Act Thursday night. The legislation, a top priority for Gov. JB Pritzker, could curb predatory insurance practices and protect consumers.

This plan would make Illinois the first state to ban prior authorization for in-patient adult and children’s mental healthcare. The bill would also ban step therapy, or the fail first method, where insurers force people to receive less effective drug treatments before moving to options initially recommended by doctors.

"Life, with all its twists and surprises, is already unpredictable," said Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago). "Our healthcare system shouldn’t add to the uncertainty. It’s time for insurance companies to prioritize care over profits, and for us to support those who work in and depend on the health care system with legislation that makes a difference."

The measure would also require prior approval from the Department of Insurance before large group insurance plans can increase rates and require premiums to align with the actual cost of providing care.

House Bill 5395 could also crack down on ghost networks by forcing insurance companies to follow strict network adequacy and transparency standards. The proposal states that insurers would need to complete internal audits every 90 days to ensure their directories reflect the healthcare available to patients in those networks.

However, Senate Republicans argue this plan will lead to higher insurance premiums for most Illinoisans.

"The working families that are paying for our health insurance, and paying for Medicaid, and have to pay for their own health insurance, they’re about to get hit with yet another rate increase as a result of this legislation," said Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley).

House Bill 5395 passed out of the Senate on a 45-14 vote and now heads back to the House on concurrence.

The Illinois Senate also approved legislation late Thursday night to ban short-term limited duration insurance plans. Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) said "junk insurance plans" fail to cover basic treatments like maternal healthcare and pre-existing conditions.

House Bill 2499 passed out of the Senate on a partisan 40-19 vote. The proposal now moves to the House for further consideration. 

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