CHICAGO (AP) -- U.S. Rep Jan Schakowsky (shuh-KOW'-skee) is pushing health care legislation to strengthen laws to keep insurance companies from increasing rates excessively.
The Illinois Democrat, along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, have introduced the Health Insurance Rate Authority Act of 2010.
Schakowsky praises President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, but she says laws that protect consumers from excessive insurance premium hikes need to be addressed.
The bill would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to stop or change insurance rate increases that are considered unreasonable.
It would also order insurance companies to pay consumer rebates.
Illinois Director of Insurance Michael McRaith says he supports the bill.
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The Health Insurance Rate Authority Act of 2010 is House Resolution 4757.
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