Posted on 11/16/2005 12:36:50 PM PST by libertarianPA
CHICAGO, Nov. 15 - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed a measure on Tuesday intended to allow all children in Illinois, including those in working-class and middle-class families, to obtain health insurance.
National experts on health care said the new law, which will offer discounts on premiums for those who qualify, was the broadest plan to insure children by any state.
Political leaders in other states, the experts said, are certain to be watching whether Illinois succeeds in expanding coverage to its 250,000 children who are now uninsured, about half of whom are not from the poorest families but from families earning more than $40,000 a year.
Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, said he hoped that the move would lead the way for a nation that needs to face a growing problem of middle-income families who cannot afford insurance premiums.
"It's about time that the middle class get some help and the working class get some help," he said in an interview. "Our kids come first, and what's the most important thing for kids? That they're safe and healthy."
Within hours of the signing on the Southwest Side of Chicago, residents submitted contact information to enroll online, though the benefits do not begin until July. By the end of the day, hundreds of people had written in, Mr. Blagojevich's office said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Yeah. And I can't afford the taxes people like you make me pay for programs like this!
What about the government that makes health care artificially high???
Watch these people complain about the programs and their complexity just like the seniors are complaining about their Part D drug benefits.
Cool now i can get off the family plan and just insure myself.
you found the loop-hole...just make sure you follow this:
To prevent people from dropping their insurance to switch to the state insurance, children will initially be required to be uninsured since Jan. 1, 2006, or in later years one full year without insurance.
Ha, that's what I was thinking, til I read the next post.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.