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Health-care expansion begins without state lawmakers' OK
By Dan Strumpf
Associated Press
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CHICAGO — Gov. Rod Blagojevich outlined part of his plan Thursday to expand the state’s health insurance coverage for sick or injured young adults without approval from Illinois lawmakers.

All Kids Bridge would cover people ages 19 through 21. Currently, medical insurance through All Kids ends on an enrollee’s 19th birthday.

“Because we couldn’t get some legislators to support this, I’m acting unilaterally to expand health care,’’ Blagojevich said, flanked by potential enrollees at La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago. “... If the legislature won’t do it, I’m going to do it.’’

All Kids Bridge will cost the state up to $20 million a year and cover about 7,000 people, said Michael McRaith, director of insurance for the Illinois Department of Financial and Regulation. The state will look for eligible participants immediately, with coverage beginning within months, he said.

Money for All Kids Bridge will come from cutting waste and “pork’’ projects from the budget, Blagojevich said Thursday, although his aides previously have said new health spending would come from shifting money and controlling costs in existing programs.

Blagojevich said his new spending does not require approval from the General Assembly because he is changing eligibility rules for existing programs rather than creating new ones. But his rule changes probably will have to go to a legislative committee, giving lawmakers a chance to block his actions.

Illinois Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, praised the governor’s actions at Thursday’s news conference.

“I’m willing to take the not-so-popular position of standing by the governor,’’ Raoul said, prompting laughter from the crowd.

Blagojevich’s announcement is the latest in a budget standoff between the governor and the state lawmakers.

In March, Blagojevich proposed the largest tax increase in state history to fund an ambitious agenda on health care, education and debt reduction. That launched months of bickering with lawmakers, who did not share his fervor for health care or his interest in a major business tax.

All Kids Bridge is part of the agenda, which also includes include subsidies for families struggling to pay for health insurance, coverage for poor adults who don’t qualify for Medicaid and cancer screenings for every uninsured woman.

Unable to agree, officials let the old budget expire July 31. The Democratic governor cut $463 million from the budget before signing it into law last week.

He insisted his cuts, which could still be reversed by lawmakers, were intended to help people by cutting wasteful spending.

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Reader comments on this story - 11 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

How crazy is this- wrote on Aug 31, 2007 5:11 PM:

" Okay. So Blagojevich cuts funds from one program so he can set up funding for healthcare- what about next year? Won't he have to find funds in programs next year to continue to fund his healthcare plan? He won't be governor forever (thank goodness). Unless our next governor is "Evil" Emil (God forbid), I can almost guarantee you he will not continue to fund Blago's healthcare... so what happens to the folks who are depending on it a year or two hence? They'll be left in the cold. This is just additional proof the Governor is losing touch with reality. He must be stopped! "

This is just the beginning wrote on Aug 31, 2007 5:07 PM:

" The Governor's behavior is increasingly bizarre. It is time to act NOW, before these budgetary maneuvers cause more disruption. The Pantagraph reported today one lawmaker's contention that the Chicago Democrats are CUTTING OFF downstate funding. This is MAKE OR BREAK time, folks. "

Blago wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:36 PM:

" If the legislature won't do it, then i will. And i do not care what the voters want. Because i am smarter then they are. After all the idiots elected me twice. "

Just Me wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:59 PM:

" This guy turns my stomach!! He must think he is above the law, & any guidelines! I'm not smart enough to get the ball rolling on getting this man out of power, so I wish someone who was would start doing something! He is doing nothing for the State of Illinois, except dragging us down! I am seriously thinking of moving away from here! "

Bring him up wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:37 AM:

" On charges, if he doesn't want to follow procedure impeach him "

Well, that democracy thing was fun, onto something new wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:25 AM:

" Didn't "unilateral actions" used to be considered "edicts" that only despots declared? Must be a PC term for dictatorial methods. So much for checks and balances. I guess what we need is someone to tell us what's good for us, without the nuisance of representative debate. Good for him taking this leadership role. "

Bad Math wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:22 AM:

" The ICHIP plan premiums would be 30 million for 7,000. Add in the out of pocket of another 33 millon. How can this man say it will cost 20 million with a straight face. My rep and senator better stand up now and put a stop to this or I spend every minute I have to replace them with someone who fights for me and their own vote. "

moonie wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:53 AM:

" well the boy dreamer is at it hard again, first he gets his raise, thanks to those of you who voted for him. next his plane ride is about to cost us another 133 thousands so the the little boy willnot mess up his hair. oh ok this one is bEgger yet, the insurance deal. which sounds great for a number of people NOT all the people. what is next another pay raise coz the little boy is upset at all the people believe in him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

When will it stop wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:47 AM:

" This moron just does what he wants! "

;;;;;;;;;;;; wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:42 AM:

" does this man think hes a 5 star general "

Lawyer needed wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:33 AM:

" I usually do not agree with most class action lawsuits. I think now is the time for a lawsuit. LAWYER NEEDED. Pro-bono lawyer needed to file class action suit against the gov of Illinois. I believe the way he and Jones are acting also needs investigated by the U.S. Attorney to see what RICO laws the two of them are breaking. "
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