Issue Position: Building a Health Care System that Works

Issue Position

Across Illinois, too many families are under pressure from rising health care costs. Deb is fighting for access to quality and affordable health care.
Last year, after Republicans in Washington voted to kick 23 million people off their health insurance, Deb fought to protect patients in DuPage County. She sponsored House Bill 2959, which keeps insurers in Illinois from discriminating against patients with preexisting conditions. Deb's bill passed the legislature with bipartisan support, and was signed into law earlier this year.
As chair of the House Mental Health Committee, Deb's been working to help children and parents get the care they need. That's why she passed House Bill 5770, which helps children with a mental health diagnosis access the resources they need.
For children with rare autoimmune disorders, finding necessary medical care can be a challenge -- with serious effects on children's health. Last year, Deb passed House Bill 2721, which mandates insurance coverage for children with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), a rare autoimmune disorder. This bill helps children across Illinois access the medical care they need -- and protects families from medical bankruptcy.
Finally, Deb's worked to expand organ donor registration. That's what House Bill 1805 did, by allowing 16 and 17 year olds to register as organ donors. It's a necessary step towards quicker treatment for patients across Illinois -- and for Deb, it's personal. This June, Deb walked the walk and became a live donor, donating a kidney to a family member in need.

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