Illinois adds families, children to health insurance rolls

by AP

September 12, 2005



While other states shrank their health insurance programs for low-income families last year, Illinois expanded enrollment.



The state was second in the nation for adding new children to the rolls of government-sponsored health insurance programs, according to rankings released Friday by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Illinois ranked first in adding working parents to the programs.



"Some states have pushed very, very hard, and Illinois is one that stands out in the statistics," said Diane Rowland, executive vice president of the nonprofit foundation.



Illinois added 31,000 children to the KidCare insurance plan, a 33 percent increase. California ranked first in the nation, adding 48,000 children to its health plan, an increase of nearly 7 percent.



Illinois doubled the number of adults in the FamilyCare program, covering nearly 85,000 people by the end of 2004.



Expanding enrollment has cost the state $55 million since 2003 and brought in $102 million in federal matching money, state officials said.



Republicans in the Legislature criticized the expansion, noting that the state's cash flow problem has led to a 65-day delay in paying doctors and other health care providers.



"Health care is a good thing, but you have to be able to pay for it," said Sen. Christine Radogno, a Republican from LaGrange.



Radogno also said the state's health insurance programs have become so generous that they risk becoming benefits for the middle class.



Gov. Rod Blagojevich defended adding new enrollees.



"If you ask yourself, what can government do at the state level in a direct, tangible way to help people build better lives, it's the most important thing we can do," he said. AP