SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.
B. Pritzker on Wednesday 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. The Democrat signed legislation codifying one of his top initiatives of last spring's legislation session, the Healthcare Protection Act, which outlaws step therapy , prior authorization for mental health crises and junk insurance .
At a Rush University System for Health facility in Chicago, Pritzker said the law is aimed at “empowering” patients and their doctors by “putting medical decisions back in their hands.” “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 (been) delayed or been denied medically necessary treatments because of profit-driver utilization management practices.
” The laws, parts of which take effect on Jan. 1, 2025 and others a year later, ban so-called step therapy, also known as “fail first.” The managed-care practice requires patients to use more cost-effective treatments first before allowing a more expensive option even if that is the physician-recommended course.
“Coverage doesn’t always equal care — until today,” said Bill Smith, founder and CEO of the nonprofit mental health advocacy group, Inseparable. “This law is for you if you or your loved ones have ever struggled to get .