A doctor checks a patient’s breathing at a doctor’s office
The Governor’s plan aims to make it easier to find doctors and to protect patients from “predatory insurance company” practices. Courtesy of Devi Shastri / Associated Press
A doctor checks a patient’s breathing at a doctor’s office
The Governor’s plan aims to make it easier to find doctors and to protect patients from “predatory insurance company” practices. Courtesy of Devi Shastri / Associated Press

In his sixth annual budget address, Gov. Pritzker said he planned to introduce a bill called the Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act, that would go after ghost networks, “step therapy” and insurance companies that deny coverage without prior authorization. The proposed budget also details a plan to erase $4 billion in medical debt over the next four years, and invest in Black maternal health by opening birth centers.

Reset learns more about what’s in the proposed 2025 budget to improve the health of Illinois residents.

GUEST: Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ public health and politics reporter

A doctor checks a patient’s breathing at a doctor’s office
The Governor’s plan aims to make it easier to find doctors and to protect patients from “predatory insurance company” practices. Courtesy of Devi Shastri / Associated Press
A doctor checks a patient’s breathing at a doctor’s office
The Governor’s plan aims to make it easier to find doctors and to protect patients from “predatory insurance company” practices. Courtesy of Devi Shastri / Associated Press

In his sixth annual budget address, Gov. Pritzker said he planned to introduce a bill called the Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act, that would go after ghost networks, “step therapy” and insurance companies that deny coverage without prior authorization. The proposed budget also details a plan to erase $4 billion in medical debt over the next four years, and invest in Black maternal health by opening birth centers.

Reset learns more about what’s in the proposed 2025 budget to improve the health of Illinois residents.

GUEST: Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ public health and politics reporter