State Senator Robert Peters has advanced the Healthcare Protection Act through the Senate with bipartisan support. The legislation, House Bill 5395, looks to address issues in health insurance, such as "ghost networks," which list providers who are not accepting new patients or do not take certain insurance plans. The bill also extends the ban on unjustified insurance rate hikes to large group plans, ensuring affordable care access.

Key provisions of the bill include banning prior authorization for mental health treatments, requiring public disclosure of treatments needing prior authorization, and prohibiting short-term, limited-duration health plans that often exclude pre-existing conditions. 

Senator Peters stated it would reduce costs and save lives by making health care more accessible and reliable. House Bill 5395 now awaits the governor's approval.