Illinois receives $9M for insuring children

By Kevin Lee 217-528-9604

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois will receive $9 million from the federal government for enrolling an additional 115,000 more uninsured children in Medicaid.

The money is part of $70 million grant program organized by the federal Department of Health and Human Services as an incentive for states to provide more children with health insurance.

Illinois received the second-highest award for streamlining the insurance application process and enrolling the children.

“The money is going to help during these tough economic times, but the biggest benefit goes to the children and to their families who now have health insurance,” said Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a conference call.

Gov. Pat Quinn said the federal money would go towards the state budget and outreach efforts to kids and their families.

The $70 million in enrollment incentives were part of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in February.

Both the federal and state governments fund CHIP, but states are responsible for advertising the program and enrolling children.

Public health insurance was the source of a dispute between state lawmakers and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2008.

Blagojevich attempted to expand public health insurance to middle-class families and their children.

State lawmakers balked at the idea and adopted rules to stop Blagojevich, but the former governor went through with the expansion anyway.

Because of this, about 3,000 families otherwise ineligible for Medicaid continue to receive assistance.

But the 115,00 children recognized by the federal government does not include those added by Blagojevich.

Jim Duffett, executive director for the Campaign for Better Health Care in Champaign, said the state has made positive strides since lawmakers removed Blagojevich from office in January.

“People need to know if there are effective public health insurance programs right now and under the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, real progress is being made,” he said.

Last year, the U.S. had more than seven million children enrolled in CHIP.

Sebelius said the bonus money has pushed states to discover new ways to enroll kids.

“In spite of the challenges of reaching hard-to-reach populations, of enrolling folks who may move frequently or not pay attention to advertisements or what they are eligible for, states have figured out a way to break through those barriers,” she said.