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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is hoping to make Illinois the first state to offer health insurance to all children. There are currently 250,000 children in the state without health insurance, and many of these kids’ parents either make too much to receive public aid insurance, or too little to afford private coverage.
Blago says the program will cost $45 million in its first year, but that the money funding it would come a restructuring of the management of state Medicaid, rather than from tax dollars, and could be up and running by July of 2006.
The insurance would not be free, instead charging reduced premiums and co-pays based on household incomes.
Illinois is already ranked as one of the top states for providing insurance to working parents and children.
State Republicans will most likely question the program’s costs in light of the state’s growing budget deficit and say, as State treasurer and (maybe) possible gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka has, that Blago is making a desperate plea to look good in the eyes of voters.
The governor’s office has recently been accused of corruption, and Blago faces new poll results that show he would lose the 2006 election to State Senator Steve Rauschenberger.
Republicans will have to be careful in their criticism… the last thing they need is to appear to be against a program designed to help poor children.
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It isn't even just poor children. The point of the program seems to be that it helps all children...
A lot of people think that the only people without health insurance are poor people. That's wrong - many poor people qualify for state and federal health care programs.
The problem is there is huge group of working and lower-middle class people who make too much money to qualify for those programs, yet still can't afford to buy health insurance. Especially if their employer doesn't provide it as a benefit, a route many employers have gone recently.
I know tons of people who live in my neighborhood who work service jobs and don't get health insurance through work. My neighbor has three kids who only get medical attention at the emergency room - and I know she and her husband can't afford insurance for them.
I am excited at the thought that their kids can actually go get a checkup, or get their shots. Or go to the doctor when they have a cold, not pneumonia.
... And it won't break their bank.
This is probably the best idea to come out of this administration. By far ... heh.
I completely agree John--it is a good idea whose time has come. It would help children throughout the state as long as it is administered fairly and easily. It will be hard for the Republicans to attack this idea without looking like total a-holes.
First act of substance over style he's made as governor.