 Democrats Frank Mautino and William Haine and Republicans JoAnn
Osmond and Bill Brady are co-chairing the study committee, which is
expected to make recommendations to the General Assembly by Sept. 30
on how the exchange should be governed and funded.According to
The State Journal-Register in Springfield, the legislators have
received a combined total of $70,800 from the insurance industry so
far this year.
Three of the four co-chairs say contributions from the industry
won't affect their decisions on the health insurance exchange. Haine,
an Alton Democrat, didn't return phone calls.
Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader John
Cullerton, D-Chicago, said Haine, as chairman of the Senate
Insurance Committee, "brings a high level of expertise to the
state's discussion of health insurance implementation."
However, the Campaign for Better Health Care says it is likely
the campaign contributions will cause the Illinois Health Benefits
Exchange Legislative Study Committee to issue recommendations later
this month that would benefit the insurance industry at the expense
of consumers.
"We'll see what happens," said Jim Duffett, executive director of
the Champaign-based consumer organization. "I hope I eat crow on
Sept. 30. I kind of doubt that I will eat crow."
Mautino noted that members of the study committee were chosen by
legislative leaders based on expertise in handling insurance-related
issues.
The exchanges, scheduled to begin operating by 2014, are key to
the success of the federal Affordable Care Act. It is expected the
Illinois' exchange will assist up to 1 million in affording health
insurance though a range of private health plans. The exchange also
will qualify people for federal subsidies and route some people into
the Medicaid program.
"You're setting up one of the most complex systems," Mautino
said. "It can't make mistakes."
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According to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political
science at the University of Illinois Springfield, individuals and
groups representing the insurance industry typically give $1.5
million to $2 million during the two-year election cycles. That
compares with $16 million from labor unions and $6 million from
lawyers.
David Morrison of the Campaign for Political Reform said it
should be expected that longstanding members of insurance committees
in the House and Senate receive more contributions than other
lawmakers.
"I wouldn't say votes are for sale," he said, but added that
contributions help industry representatives get "face time" with key
lawmakers.
A spokeswoman for Chicago-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Illinois told The State Journal-Register the company "supports
political candidates, associations and organizations that share the
health care policy interests of our 12 million members."
Morrison said the choices for the exchange study committee
suggest insurance industry contributions had an influence, Morrison
said.
"The way that it looks ... is terrible," he said.
Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan,
D-Chicago, said campaign contributions played no role in Madigan's
picks.
[Associated Press]
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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