Illinois To Help 500000 More People To Access Affordable Health Care

Last week Illinois Governor Blagojevich announced his plan to use his executive rule-making authority to bolster state healthcare programs and give 500,000 more Illinoisans access to affordable health coverage and services, including;

Every uninsured woman in Illinois will be eligible to get 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.

More working and middle-class uninsured parents will receive access to health coverage at affordable rates through the Family Care program.

Children in the All Kids program who have pre-existing conditions will continue to have access to affordable health insurance up to age 21.

Families struggling with the high cost of health insurance premiums will be able to apply for yearly subsidies worth 20% of their annual premiums, up to $1,000.

"I said when the legislature passed this budget it leaves a lot of important business unfinished. While I am pleased that we are making a record investment in education, families across the state are still being priced out of health coverage and don't have a way to see a doctor when they need to. A budget should reflect the priorities of the people who elected us to make their lives better. That's why I am removing almost $500 million in special pet projects and other spending that we simply can't afford.

"At the same time, we are preparing new rules and administrative changes that will give half-a-million Illinoisans access to healthcare. 250,000 women in Illinois will be able to get screened and treated for breast and cervical cancer. These changes improve the budget that lawmakers sent me.