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In Illinois, 253,000 children are without health insurance. More
than half of Illinois' uninsured children come from working and
middle-class families who earn too much to qualify for programs like
KidCare but not enough to afford private health insurance. The
governor's program would make comprehensive health insurance
available to children, with parents paying monthly premiums and
co-payments for doctor's visits and prescription drugs at affordable
rates.
"There is nothing more important to parents than making sure
their kids are safe and healthy," Blagojevich said. "Yet hundreds of
thousands of children in Illinois don't have health insurance. But,
we can change this if we pass our All Kids plan. I would like to
thank everyone here supporting us today. Together, we can make sure
children have access to comprehensive and affordable health care
through our All Kids program."
Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael J. Madigan
are the lead sponsors of legislation creating the All Kids health
insurance program and have vowed to push for its passage during the
upcoming fall veto session so the program can be up and running by
July 1, 2006. The organizations vowed to help the governor build
support to pass his All Kids plan and to help enroll children in the
plan, should it pass.
"Governor Blagojevich is taking a bold step forward by making
Illinois the first state in the nation to propose comprehensive
health care coverage to every child," the letter from the
organizations reads. "We agree with Senate President Emil Jones,
House Speaker Michael Madigan and Governor Blagojevich that parents
shouldn't have to face a difficult economic decision when their
child is hurt or sick; every child should have access to affordable
health insurance and be able to see a doctor when they are sick or
injured. As others have said, and we agree, health care should be a
right for all children, not just a benefit for the privileged few."
Over the past 2½ years, the Blagojevich administration has worked
to expand health coverage for low-income working parents and their
children. Since January of 2003, 170,000
more children in Illinois received health insurance, and
Illinois is now ranked as the second-best state in the nation by the
Kaiser Family Foundation for providing health care to children who
need it. Illinois is also now the top-ranked state in the nation for
providing health care to adults who need it.
Despite these gains, there are still uninsured children in every
corner of the state. Based on adjusted data from the 2003 census,
approximately 253,000 children in Illinois do not have health
insurance. Twelve percent of children in Cook County, the state's
most populated county, are uninsured. In Pulaski County, at the
southern tip of Illinois, nearly 15 percent of children lack health
coverage. In St. Clair County, 9.3 percent of children do not have
health insurance. In Sangamon County, home to Illinois' capitol, 8.6
percent of kids are not insured. Even in suburban DuPage County, one
of the 25 wealthiest counties in the United States, 7.2 percent of
children have no health insurance.
The governor's All Kids program would offer children access to
comprehensive health care, including doctor's visits, hospital
stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and medical
devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers.
Research shows that uninsured children suffer because they do not
have access to adequate medical care. For example:
- The Kaiser Family Foundation found that uninsured children
are 70 percent less likely than children with insurance to
receive medical care for conditions like ear infections and 30
percent less likely to receive medical attention when they are
injured.
- A National Health Interview Survey found that 59 percent of
uninsured children did not see a doctor for a checkup in the
past year, and 38 percent of children have no regular place to
go for medical care. These factors put uninsured children at
higher risk for hospitalization or missed diagnoses of serious
conditions.
Participants in the new program will pay monthly premiums and
co-payments for doctor's visits and prescriptions, but unlike
private insurance that is too expensive for so many families, the
rates for All Kids coverage will be based on a family's income. The
state is able to offer All Kids insurance coverage at much lower
than market rates for middle-income families by leveraging the
significant negotiating and buying power it already has through
Medicaid.
For example, a family with two children that earns between
$40,000 and $59,999 a year will pay a $40 monthly premium per child
and a $10 co-pay per physician visit. A family with two children
earning between $60,000 and $79,999 will pay a $70 monthly premium
per child and a $15 co-pay per physician visit. However, there will
be no co-pays for preventative care visits, such as annual
immunizations and regular checkups and screenings for vision,
hearing, appropriate development or preventative dental. These
premiums for middle-income families are significantly more
affordable than typical private insurance premiums of $100 to $200 a
month, or $2,400 per child annually.
The state will cover the difference between what parents
contribute in monthly premiums and the actual cost of providing
health care for each child -- expected to be $45 million in the
first year -- with savings generated by implementing a primary care
case management model for participants in the state's FamilyCare and
All Kids health care programs.
Participants will choose a single primary physician who will
manage their care by ensuring they get immunizations and other
preventative health care services and avoid unnecessary emergency
room visits and hospitalizations. Patients with chronic conditions
like asthma or diabetes will have a single care manager to make sure
they are getting the treatments and ongoing care they need to avoid
acute care. Primary care physicians will make referrals to
specialists for additional care or tests as needed.
By ensuring patients get adequate preventative care on the front
end, fewer people will need expensive specialized care or emergency
care for critical conditions. In children, preventative care is
especially important. For example, infants with stomach flu
(gastroenteritis) who receive appropriate primary care can avoid
being hospitalized for dehydration. Providing a timely exam and
appropriate antibiotic treatment for children with ear infections (otitis
media) can prevent chronic ear problems, loss of hearing and the
need for surgically placed tubes to relieve fluid build up. Treating
children with bronchitis or minor lung infections in a primary care
setting can help to avoid more expensive hospitalization treatment
of pneumonia, including intravenous antibiotics and respiratory
treatments. And early identification and appropriate treatment of
children who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, will result in
fewer expensive emergency room and inpatient care visits.
Twenty-nine other states -- including North Carolina, New York,
Texas, Pennsylvania and Louisiana -- have realized significant
savings by using this model for their Medicaid programs. Based on
independent analyses, the Department of Healthcare and Family
Services estimates the state will save more than $56 million in the
first year by implementing the primary care case management model in
all state health programs but those that serve seniors and the
blind.
Evidence shows that in addition to lacking adequate medical care,
children without health insurance are at a disadvantage in the
classroom. For example:
- According to a 1997 Florida Healthy Kids Annual Report,
children who do not have health coverage are 25 percent more
likely to miss school.
- A California Health Status Assessment Project on children's
health published in 2002 found that children who recently
enrolled in health care saw their attendance and performance
improve by 68 percent.
- And a 2002 study in Vermont entitled "Building Bridges to
Healthy Kids and Better Students," conducted by the Council of
Chief State School Officers, showed that children who started
out without health insurance saw their reading scores more than
double after getting health care.
Research also provides strong economic reasons for insuring all
children. Delayed treatment can result in more complex, more
threatening and more expensive care later. While the uninsured pay
approximately 35 percent of their medical bills out-of-pocket, more
than 40 percent ends up being absorbed by those who do have health
insurance, in the form of higher premiums. According to a recent
Families USA report, the cost of paying for the uninsured will add
$1,059 to the average family's insurance premiums here in Illinois
in 2005.
In addition, investing in health care can have a positive effect
on local economies. Over the past five years, the health care
industry has created nearly 40,000 new jobs in Illinois. Health care
is the second-fastest growing industry in the state and one of the
fastest in the nation.
More information about All Kids is available online at
www.allkidscovered.com.
Organizations joining the effort to pass the governor's All Kids
plan during the fall veto session include:
- 100 Black Men of Alton
- 18th Street Development Corporation
- ABJ Community Services
- Access Health Network
- ACORN
- Action for Children
- Ada S. McKinley Community Services
- Administration for Regional Office of Education No. 12
- Adoption Information Center
- Adoption Unlimited Inc.
- Advocate Health Systems
- Albany Bank & Trust
- Albany Park Chamber of Commerce
- Albany Park Community Action Group
- Albany Park Community Center
- Alivio Medical Center
- Alpha Temple Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. Leonard
Deville
- Alternative School Network
- Alton NAACP
- AME Ministerial Alliance -- the Rev. David Coleman
- Archview Corporation
- Arlington Glass Company
- ASPIRA
- Aurora Township
- Baxter International
- Bishop Larry Trotter, presiding prelate of the United Pentecostal
Church of Christ
- Bishop ML Crawford, Dr. Keith Denmark
-- Church of The Living God
- Brandenburg
- Bureau County United Way
- Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
- Campaign for Better Healthcare
- Carol Jo Roberston Center
- Carroll-Keller Group
- Casa Aztlan
- Casa Central
- Cathedral of Joy Church -- the Rev. Samuel Hinkle
- Catholic Charities
- Centennial Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. JD Anderson
- Central Illinois Manufacturing Co.
- Centro Sin Fronteras
- CEO of Illinois Eastern Community College
- Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council
- Chicago and NE Illinois District Council of Carpenters
- Chicago Area Projects
- Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
- Chicago Federation of Labor
- Chicago Firefighters Local 2
- Chicago Foundation for Women
- Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce
- Chicago Teachers Union
- Child Welfare League of America
- ChildServ
- Christ Tabernacle Church -- the Rev. Henry Barlow
- Christian Activity Center
- Citizen Action Illinois
- City of Flora, Economic Development
- City of Mount Vernon
- Community & Economic Development Association of Cook County
- Cook County Economic Development Center
- Cook County Physicians Association
- Council of 100 (name changed to Rockford Area Economic
Development Council)
- Creative Solutions Technologies
- Crawford County Democrat Central Committee
- CWLA/Miller Anderson
- D.R. Home Furnishing
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission
- Edgewater Development Corporation
- Edwardsville Township
- El Hogar del Nino
- El Rincon
- El Valor
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- Equality of Illinois
- Erie Neighborhood House
- Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church -- Bishop Vesta Dixon
- Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. O.C. Morgan
- Excel Metal Products
- Executive Director of Infant Welfare Society
- Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. Charles Jenkins
- Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. Tony Land
- Fernwood United Methodist Church -- the Rev. Al Sampson
- Fibergel Technologies
- First American Bank
- First Baptist Congregational Church -- the Rev. Jannette Wilson
- First Corinthians Baptist Church -- the Rev. James Thomas
- First Unity Baptist Church -- the Rev. J.C. Boyd
- Fox Valley United Way
- Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ
-- Bishop Cody Marshall
- Gad Hill, Chicago
- GAM Corporation
- Generational Blessings -- Pastor Olivia Johnson
- Global Staffing Services
- God First Ministries -- Dr. Mildred Harris
- Greater Madison County Federation of Labor
- Greater Rock MBC -- the Rev. Floyd James
- Green Oaks/Libertyville/Mundelein/Vernon Hills Area Chamber of
Commerce
- Growth Association of Southwest Illinois
- Haskris Co.
- Hayes Properties Inc.
- Health and Disability Advocates
- Healthcare Alternative Systems
- Heart of Illinois United Way, Peoria
- Heartland Alliance
- Heritage International Christian Church -- the Rev. Dwight Gunn
- Hermon Baptist Church -- the Rev. Alvin Wesley
- Hispanic American Construction Industry Association
- Holy Cross Church
- Hope Presbyterian Church -- the Rev. Leslie Sanders
- Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Illinois AFL-CIO
- Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees
- Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators
- Illinois Association of School Nurses
- Illinois Brotherhood of Electrical Workers State Conference
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
- Illinois Defense Industry Association
- Illinois Federation of Teachers
- Illinois Maternal Child Health Coalition
- Illinois Migrant Council
- Illinois Nurses Association
- Illinois Physical Therapy Association
- Illinois Pipe Trades
- Illinois Public Health Association
- Illinois Regional Development Alliance
- Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing
- Imperial Trailer
- Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago
- Infant Welfare Society
- Inner City Youth and Adult Foundation
- Institute for Latino Progress
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 21
- International Business Center in Rolling Meadows
- Jane Addams Bookstore
- Jane Addams Hull House
- Johnson County 2000
- Kankakee River Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Kankakee/Will/Grundy Building Trades Association
- Kishwaukee United Way -- DeKalb/Sycamore
- La Rabida Children's Hospital
- Laborers District Council, Chicago
- Laborers' International Union -- Midwest Region
- Lake County Chamber of Commerce
- Lake Kinzie Industrial Leadership Council
- Madison County Urban League
- Manager Office Building in Crawford Co.
- McNeal Clinic
- Mercy Hospital Medical Center
- Messiah-St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church -- Father Darryl James
- Mid America Workforce Investment Board
- Mount Calvary Baptist Church -- the Rev. Tyrone Crider
- Mount Vernon Baptist Church -- the Rev. Johnny Miller
- Mujeres Latina en Accion
- National Able Network
- National Marrow Donor Program
- National Women Veterans United
- New Abundant Life Church -- Bishop Monroe Mullins
- New Hope Community Baptist Church -- the Rev. Wyatt Rush
- New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. Marshall
Hatch
- New Vision of Faith Fellowship
- NextGen Advisors
- Nigerian American Association of Public Administrators
- North River Commission
- Northbrook Chamber of Commerce
- Northwest and Schaumburg Association of Chamber & Industry
- Ounce of Prevention Fund
- Painters District Council 30
- People's Church of The Harvest Church of God in Christ -- Elder
Michael Eaddy
- Perry Commercial Realty
- Pirok Financial Group Limited
- Plano Economic Development Corporation
- Plumbers Statewide Council
- Praise Tabernacle Deliverance Baptist Church -- Bishop Steve
Jones
- Protestants for the Common Good
- Proviso Baptist Church -- Bishop Claude Porter
- Quality Control Corporation
- Quasar Strategies
- Quickset International Inc.
- Regional Superintendent of Schools No. 12
- Rend Lake Small Business Development Center
- Residing Bishop Simon Gordon, pastor of Full Gospel Baptist
Churches of Illinois
- Restoration Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. Michael Bond
- Retired Schoolteachers
- The Rev. Alvin Love, president of the General State Convention of
Illinois
- The Rev. Charles Rogers -- Evening Star
- The Rev. Clarence Moore -- Believers Christian Center
- The Rev. George Henderson, president of the Westside Baptist
Ministers Conference
- The Rev. Herman Larry -- New Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
- The Rev. John Gray, president of the Baptist Pastors
Conference of Chicago and Vicinity
- The Rev. Joseph Ragland -- Park Manor Church of God
- The Rev. Stephen Thurston, president of The National Baptist
Convention of America
- The Rev. Walter Turner, president of the Baptist Ministers
Conference of Chicago and Vicinity
- Rock Island County Board
- Rockford Area Economic Development Council
- S & B Manufacturing
- Safer Foundation
- Salem Tabernacle Church -- the Rev. Emmanuel Little
- SANKOFA Inc.
- Saunders Marketing
- SEIU State Council
- Sergeant Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
- Sinai Health Systems
- South Suburban Mayors and Managers
- Southwest Illinois Development Authority
- Southwest Youth Collaborative
- Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council
- St. Anthony's Hospital
- St. Bernard's Hospital
- St. James Hospital
- St. John Missionary Baptist Church -- the Rev. A. Edward Davis
- St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association
- St. Mark Baptist Church -- Bishop William Jordan
- St. Sabina, Chicago
- St. Stephen AME Church -- the Rev. Albert Tyson
- Stateline United Way
- Supportive Housing Providers Association
- The Illinois Maternal Child Health Coalition
- The Resurrection Project
- Tri-City Building Trades
- Tuckpointers, Local 52
- Twin Rivers CTE System
- UAW, Region 4
- Unite Here Local 1
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881
- United Mine Workers of America
- United Neighborhood Organization
- United Power for Action and Justice
- United Scrap
- United Steel Workers, District 7
- United Way of Adams County
- United Way of Central Illinois
- United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois
- United Way of Elgin
- United Way of Illinois Valley
- United Way of Kankakee County
- United Way of McDonough County
- United Way of McLean County
- United Way of Whiteside County
- University of St Francis
- Vanee Foods
- Victory Christian Assembly -- Apostle Carl White
- Village of Maywood
- VOA Architects
- Voices for Illinois Children
- Warren County United Way
- Waymen AME Church -- the Rev. Walter Johnson
- WMS Gaming
- Women Employed
- Women Presidents' Organization
- Women's Business Development Center
- Word Made Worship Center -- the Rev. William Jenkins
- YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
- Yorkville Chamber of Commerce
- Youth Charter Schools Connections
* * *
Text of letter signed by the supporting organizations:
October 13, 2005
Governor Rod
Blagojevich
Illinois General Assembly
Springfield, IL
Dear Governor
Blagojevich and Members of the General Assembly:
We are writing to
announce our support for All Kids, Governor Blagojevich's recently
proposed program to provide comprehensive health care coverage for
every child in Illinois. We believe All Kids will not only improve
the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of children, but also
improve overall health in the state of Illinois.
It only takes one
time to see a child sick or injured to realize the importance of
providing the health care coverage they need. With about a quarter
of a million uninsured children in Illinois and 8.5 million in the
United States, Governor Blagojevich is taking a bold step forward by
making Illinois the first state in the nation to propose
comprehensive health care coverage to every child. We agree with
Senate President Emil Jones, House Speaker Michael Madigan and
Governor Blagojevich that parents shouldn't have to face a difficult
economic decision when their child is hurt or sick, every child
should have access to affordable health insurance and be able to see
a doctor when they are sick or injured. As others have said, and we
agree, health care should be a right for all children, not just a
benefit for the privileged few.
When a child
doesn't receive proper preventative care through regular doctor
visits, dental exams and vision screenings, small medical problems
can lead to more costly care like emergency room visits and
operations that could have been avoided. Emergency rooms and health
care facilities treating the uninsured absorb these additional costs
and, ultimately, those costs are passed on to individuals and
families who have private health insurance through increases in
their premiums and co-pays. Providing comprehensive health care
coverage for children is economical because it not only covers the
uninsured but it also helps to keep health care costs down for the
privately insured.
We have seen a
major gap in health care coverage for middle class, working families
who earn too much income to be eligible for Medicaid but not enough
to pay the high cost of private health insurance. These families
play by the rules, pay their taxes and earn a living, but still
don't have access to affordable health care for their children.
Moving to a system that mirrors private insurance plans will give
parents access to health care in which they pay co-pays and
premiums, but at rates they can afford.
Healthy children
are smarter children because they miss less school, and in doing so
will get better grades. Kids who aren't well and healthy either miss
out on learning opportunities completely or can't take full
advantage of them because they are distracted by their symptoms. A
study released by the Council of Chief State School Officers in 2002
found a close to 70 percent performance improvement for children
with health insurance. By providing health insurance for children we
not only invest in a better education but we invest in the future of
our state.
In closing, we are
proud to support All Kids, a comprehensive, yet cost effective
program that will improve the quality of life for hundreds of
thousands of children in Illinois. It is our hope that the General
Assembly will also support this proposal during the upcoming
legislative veto session so the state can start to offer this
program on July 1, 2006.
[News release from the governor's
office] |
