Illinois bill to reform health insurance industry one step closer to becoming law [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Marilyn Zydlo’s son Jimmy was diagnosed with stage three advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2020 and had to undergo twelve rounds of chemotherapy.

“It left him bedridden, extremely debilitated,” Zydlo said.”He had it every two weeks, and we had to undergo certain types of anti-nausea medicines to try and help him.”

But Zydlo, who is also the Illinois Region Dare to Dream ambassador with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), said they faced some hurdles getting him the treatment he needed. His insurance company had him take an alternative medication first. Then if that didn’t work he could take the medication his doctor prescribed him. This process is called step therapy.

“It’s just like this domino effect of this constant, ‘Why am I more worried about getting this authorization and approval from the insurance companies and the prescription plans and just doing what the doctor is telling …