Illinois HB 2624, introduced by Representative Laura Fine, limits the duration of short-term health insurance plans to 181 days.  The intent of HB 2624 is to ensure that healthier people do not enroll in the short-term health insurance plans that will be able to last up to 36 months without new underwriting under the new Health and Human Services guidelines, thus preserving the Illinois exchange. This is a significant event for those who do not have access to employer-sponsored group health insurance such as sole proprietors (hairdressers, business startups, realtors trying to find home buyers, consultants, skilled tradesmen, etc.) in Illinois.  According to the IRS, there are 974,303 sole proprietors in Illinois. Many are covered via their spouse, some via the exchange, some elect to be uninsured.  Allowing people to purchase up to 36 months of health insurance coverage (albeit not as comprehensive as the ACA, as short-term policies typically have a pre-existing...(Read Full Post)