[OCT. 27, 2005] SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Senate
kicked off the second day of veto session by approving the
governor's "All Kids" program -- a massive new health insurance
initiative for Illinois' uninsured children. Although he said the
intent of the program is commendable, state
Sen. Larry Bomke,
R-Springfield, explained that he had too many reservations over the
proposal to vote in favor of the All Kids initiative.
"Certainly I want all Illinois children to have access to quality
health care; I don't think any lawmaker would disagree that this is
something to strive for," Bomke said. "However, this legislation was
rushed through the Senate without significant discussion or debate,
leaving many questions unanswered, including details as to how the
program will be implemented and funded."
Bomke questioned the
governor's decision to introduce All Kids at a time when the state's
Medicaid program is already financial unstable and growing
unsustainably. At this time, the state owes $1.7 billion to
health care providers, and recently State Comptroller Dan Hynes
recommended the state take out a $1 billion short-term loan to
expedite payments to medical care providers.
"Illinois has a very serious problem with Medicaid system, which
already constitutes over one-fourth of the state's budget, and that
number increases every year," Bomke explained. "I am concerned that
adding an additional 250,000 people to the system will critically
damage the program, causing program costs to skyrocket and reducing
patient access to health care."
The governor plans to fund the program expansion by implementing
a primary care case management model for enrollees in two other
Medicaid programs, KidCare and Family Care. The governor's office's
estimates that switching to a managed care system will save the
state $57 million in the first year. Bomke agreed that a managed
care system would reduce the state's health care costs, but he said
it was ill-advised to expand the program when the state cannot
afford the costs of the current program.
"I have serious doubts over whether Illinois has the finances to
execute such a massive program, particularly when we can't even pay
our current debts," said Bomke. "For over two years Senate
Republicans have been advocating a move to a managed care system as
a way to save costs and increase the quality of patient care, but it
seems irresponsible to use that money to expand the program when
those savings could be used to address our current financial
obligations."
Bomke also expressed reservations about the lack of eligibility
restrictions currently associated with the All Kids program.
"All uninsured children will be eligible for this program,
regardless of income, asset level or U.S. citizenship. Additionally,
it will be assumed that all applicants are qualified without
immediate verification of eligibility," said Bomke. "It is
ridiculous that the tax dollars of a responsible, hardworking
Illinois family that earns $40,000 a year would be used to finance
health insurance for families with a yearly income of $60,000,
$70,000, even $80,000."
The senator commented that he hopes that those who vote against
the governor's proposal aren't portrayed as indifferent to the
health care needs of Illinois children.
"Of course I want every child to have access to health care, but
I felt it would be irresponsible to vote in favor of this
legislation after being giving so little time to review a proposal
of this magnitude," Bomke concluded. "If the Legislature had been
given more time to consider the initiative, ask serious questions
and work with the governor's administration on this proposal, I very
well may have voted differently."
