By: Mark Maxwell, Renee Cooper
WCIA.com
PRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — The contract dispute that disrupted continuity of care and sent medical bills skyrocketing for Springfield Clinic patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans impacted several state and federal lawmakers living in Central Illinois.
“I know I speak on behalf of my constituents, but you know I have health insurance, too,” state senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said on Wednesday. “I have family members that have health insurance coverage, so it becomes very personal.”
In a recent radio interview, Turner described how the disruption in coverage and benefits nearly complicated the pregnancy of a member of her family. When Blue Cross Blue Shield kicked Springfield Clinic’s 650 doctors out of its network, patients who relied on that insurance plan suddenly learned they’d have to pay much higher out-of-network prices to continue seeing their favorite doctor or specialist.