HB5954 - Consumer Health Insurance Counsel Act

• Creates an independent Office of Consumer Health Insurance Counsel to represent the interests of health insurance consumers in Illinois.

• Consumer Health Insurance Counsel appointed by Governor with Senate consent for 4-year terms; must be a licensed Illinois attorney with demonstrated commitment to public rights and knowledge of insurance proceedings.

• Office may assess impact of insurance rates, rules, and forms on consumers and shall advocate positions determined advantageous to substantial numbers of insurance consumers.

• Counsel may appear before the Director of Insurance, Department of Insurance, or state health insurance rate review boards on behalf of consumers; may also intervene in judicial proceedings related to those matters.

• Establishes prohibitions on business interests with regulated entities, lobbying activities, political involvement, and post-employment representation of regulated parties for one year after service ends.