Galesburg Reporter

State Sen. Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) is "strongly" against legislation that would require unvaccinated patients to pay their own COVID-related health care expenses out-of-pocket even if they're covered by insurance.

The legislation, known as House Bill 4259, was introduced earlier this month. Stewart said already his office has received a number of calls and e-mails about it.

"I strongly oppose this proposal," Stewart wrote in a Dec. 10 Facebook post. "A legislative and legal analysis shows that the language introduced would conflict with pre-existing federal law."

Stewart told his followers that even if the legislation were to pass in the General Assembly, the law would likely not only be challenged, but thrown out in court. 

"Medicaid Services has recently issued guidance on this topic, stating in part, 'plans and issuers may not discriminate ineligibility for benefits or coverage based on whether or not an individual obtains a COVID-19 vaccination,'" Stewart said in his Facebook post. 

Stewart noted that the legislation has already been tabled by the person who proposed the bill. He also assured his constituents his office will continue to remain on top of this issue.

"My office will keep a close eye on the topic during the upcoming legislative session, and will do what it takes to ensure all Illinoisans continue to receive the healthcare coverage they deserve regardless of their vaccination status," Stewart wrote on Facebook. 

Stewart alluded to Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) in his social media post. According to NBC Chicago, Carroll is the lawmaker who introduced House Bill 4259 which would target those who choose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine by ensuring they were on the hook for any medical expenses that should arrive from COVID treatment even if they were insured. 

NPR reported those who remain unvaccinated could also be required to pay more for their health insurance with more companies opting to require those without the shot to pay additional fees.

Carroll ended up tabling the bill just three days after he originally introduced the legislation, according to records on the Illinois General Assembly website.