Coalition Urges Illinois Governor to Expand KidsCare Coverage to Parents:
A coalition organized by United Power for Action and Justice met with Illinois Gov. George Ryan (R) on Feb. 19, urging him to expand KidsCare, the state's CHIP program, to include the families of eligible children. The Chicago Tribune reports that under the expansion, proposed in a state House bill HB 0023, eligible parents would receive a subsidy to help pay premiums for employer-sponsored coverage. Parents whose companies do not offer insurance would receive coverage directly through the KidsCare program. Expansion proponents have said that the plan will not only reduce the number of uninsured parents but also will increase "lagg[ing]" enrollment of eligible children. "The best way to finish bringing the balance of those children into this program is by enrolling families so that they're all under one policy," state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D), the bill's main sponsor, said. The expansion -- which would open eligibility to 200,000 uninsured low-income parents -- is expected to cost about $180 million (Challos, Chicago Tribune, 2/20).
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