How many people in Illinois are uninsured?
One in three Americans are uninsured, according to a 2009 Families USA report. While the US Census Bureau reports that 13.2 % of Illinois citizens were uninsured in 2007/08, Families USA maintains that being uninsured for even part of a year can also severely impact health and financial status. From 2007-2008 30.8% of Illinoisans under the age of 65 were without insurance for all or part of the two year period, and 73.5% were uncovered for 6 months or longer. Though people of color and ethnic minorities were more apt to go without coverage, white citizens comprised the largest number of uninsured in Illinois.
LWVIL and local leagues worked to improve access to health care over the years through legislative initiatives, advocating for the needs of low income and uninsured, supporting family planning and abortion services with local health departments.
What legislative efforts have been made to increase access to healthcare in Illinois?
In 2004 the Health Care Justice Act offered a structural approach to improve the health of Illinois. LWVIL worked in coalition with the Campaign for Better Health Care to pass the law. The law required the establishment of an Adequate Health Task Force that delivered a plan with detailed recommendations for health care access. League supported the plan, Illinois Covered, embodied in SB 5 that expired without action January 2009. Full text and analysis at http://www.idph.state.il.us/hcja/index.htm.
How has the new federal healthcare law been implemented in Illinois?
States are integral to implementation of the Affordable Care Act 2010. The Illinois General Assembly passed SB 3047 Health Care Justice Implementation Act in the spring of 2010 to monitor federal Health Care Reform law for effects on Illinois and make recommendations for State action. It provides for a HCJA Implementation Task Force statewide public hearings for citizen input; timelines specified for action; and research by an independent organization. SB 3047 was returned by the Governor with an amendatory veto, 7/30/10. Subsequently, an Executive Order created the Illinois Health Reform Implementation Council comprised of key state agencies and offices to recommend what changes should be initially implemented to increase access to health care through, but not limited to, the Affordable Care Act. The Council does not include community stakeholders as does the Task Force in SB 3047.
How will the new federal law affect insurance companies in Illinois?
Provisions of the Affordable Care Act will affect the insurance industry, now largely regulated by state insurance commissioners. Efforts at health insurance reform in Illinois have not received wide legislative support. Illinois does not place restrictions on health insurance rate increases, require public disclosure of premiums, enrollment and claims information, or provide for state review of policy rescissions. December 2009 Report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that Illinois had the highest number of rescissions in the nation. |
