Illinois approves plan to expand health coverage to all children

Healthcare Financial Management, Dec, 2005

Illinois could become the first state to offer insurance coverage for all children, if Gov. Rod Blagojevich gets his way. In October, the Illinois General Assembly approved the governor's plan to provide health coverage to uninsured children who don't qualify for the State Children's Health Insurance Program but whose families cannot afford private insurance. The state estimates that 253,000 Illinois children lack health insurance.

Blagojevich says the program's cost-estimated at $45 million in the first year-could be covered by using managed care to cut $56 million in costs from the state's health programs. Parents would be able to "buy" their children's insurance from the state, with premiums and copayments that would be much lower than private insurance policies.

If passed, the plan could take effect July 1, 2006.

To read the governor's plan to insure all Illinois children, go to www.allkidscovered.com.