 A young adult with a serious pre-existing condition is not likely to
receive coverage for that condition through the conventional health
insurance market, or would be unable to afford private coverage in
the unlikely event it were offered.
"We take care of children who are seriously ill or have
pre-existing conditions through our All Kids health insurance
program. But, after their 19th birthdays, it becomes extremely
difficult for them to find the comprehensive and affordable health
care they need and deserve," Blagojevich said. "We are committed to
making sure these young adults are taken care of, and the new All
Kids Bridge program will make sure they don't lose coverage."
The Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Program offers health
insurance to Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions whose coverage
was rejected by private health insurers. ICHIP is intended to aid
individuals with medical conditions that exclude them from obtaining
private coverage and whose incomes are too high to qualify for
public health care programs. For young adults with pre-existing
conditions who reach the age limit in All Kids and are at risk of
losing coverage, Blagojevich will expand ICHIP and subsidize the
premiums to provide continuous, affordable, comprehensive coverage
through age 21. ICHIP participants have benefits that include doctor
visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, emergency services,
prescription drugs, and more.
Blagojevich instructed the director of insurance, Michael McRaith,
who also serves as chairman of the ICHIP board of directors, to work
with the board and related state agencies to create the All Kids
Bridge program. On Aug. 28, the board approved the objectives of the
governor's proposed expansion.
Working with the departments of Healthcare and Family Services,
Public Health, and Human Services, the insurance director and ICHIP
will develop and implement the program to allow young adults with
critical health care needs to receive continuous care at an
affordable cost. Once implemented, this new program for
19-21-year-olds (ending on their 21st birthday) will provide
continuous coverage at a cost no more than what they paid while on
All Kids. The continuous coverage will provide the opportunity for a
complete recovery, or for an improved or stable quality of life.
[to top of second column] |
Earlier this month Blagojevich first announced his intention to
expand access to health care for young adults with serious illnesses
and pre-existing conditions when he explained how his administration
will pursue administrative changes to dramatically improve access to
health care for thousands of Illinois families. Using his executive
authority, Blagojevich will bolster state health care programs and
give 500,000 more Illinoisans, including young adults, access to
affordable health coverage and services, including the following:
-
Every uninsured
woman in Illinois will be eligible to be screened and treated
for breast and cervical cancer, greatly improving cancer
outcomes and saving lives.
-
Poor adults who
are not eligible for Medicaid will have the chance to see a
doctor regularly and get the prescription medications they need.
-
By changing
eligibility limits for the FamilyCare program, more working and
middle-class uninsured parents will receive access to health
coverage at affordable rates.
-
Families
struggling with the high cost of health insurance premiums will
be able to apply for yearly subsidies worth 20 percent of their
annual premiums, up to $1,000.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
