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 Among the state-level findings of the study by the national
health care advocacy group:
-
Families USA estimates that more than 18 working-age Illinoisans
die each week due to lack of health insurance.
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In 2006, the total estimated deaths were 960 people in Illinois.
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Between 2000 and 2006, the estimated number of adults between the
ages of 35 and 64 in Illinois who died because they did not have
health insurance was more than 6,100.
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Across the United States in 2006, twice as many people died from
lack of health insurance as died from homicide.
"While the results of this study are particularly shocking, we
have long been familiar with the significant challenges faced by the
uninsured in Illinois. Health care is becoming a crisis nationwide
and our state is not alone," said Blagojevich. "That’s why expanding
health care coverage to those in need has continued to be a priority
for me and my administration. While health care reform has been a
topic of conversation on the presidential campaign trail, we can be
proud that in Illinois we have made significant progress in the
fight for the uninsured."
During the Blagojevich administration, more than 750,000 more
people have gained health care coverage, including 414,000 more
children, 259,200 more parents, 103,800 more seniors and others.
Under Blagojevich’s leadership, Illinois was the first state in
the nation to offer universal health care coverage to children,
through the All Kids program. For such efforts, Illinois has been
recognized as a national leader by organizations such as the Kaiser
Family Foundation.
Recently, Blagojevich expanded the Illinois Breast and Cervical
Cancer Program to all uninsured women in Illinois between the ages
of 35 and 64, regardless of income level. Also, the FamilyCare
program for parents was expanded up to 400 percent of the federal
poverty level, to provide access to quality, affordable health care
for both low- and middle-income parents who are uninsured. Parents
pay monthly premiums based on family income.
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 In his recent budget address, Blagojevich continued to press for
the needs of the uninsured. His Illinois Covered proposal has
several components including:
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Illinois Covered Assist
-- This new program would provide health
care for Illinoisans living in poverty who are not otherwise
eligible for state health care programs. This expansion will provide
health care to a quarter-million adults. Participants will be
assured a medical home at community health centers and health
clinics and will also receive certain hospital benefits, disease
management, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and
prescription drug benefits.
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Illinois Covered Rebate
-- This program would provide financial
assistance to Illinoisans to help alleviate the increasing cost of
health insurance premiums.
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Illinois Covered Choice -- This expansion would allow small
businesses and individuals the opportunity to buy into guaranteed,
affordable private plans regardless of health status or income
level.
For more information about the Families USA "Dying for Coverage"
report, please visit
http://www.familiesusa.org/issues/
uninsured/publications/dying-for-coverage.html.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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