While I think Governor Rod Blagojevich’s new All Kids healthcare plan is a good step in the right direction, I want to go further, and cover everyone - young and old. I’ve spoken to Rob Bisceglie, candidate for House District 45 about this a bit, and he’s for a system of healthcare for all that’s affordable to all. Rob has experience in this area, working for the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, a non-profit community health center providing medical, mental health and dental services to low-income, uninsured children and women. He’s sent out a press release about All Kids that I’ve pasted it below. You can read more about Rob at his campaign website.
From the Bisceglie Campaign (with a few links by me):
Speaking before local groups in DuPage County since the announcement of the new All Kids plan proposed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, Rob Bisceglie, candidate for state representative in the 45th District, has praised the plan and stated that its implementation will “mean that residents of DuPage County no longer have to choose between visiting the doctor and meeting their families’ other needs.”
Enrollment in the state’s KidCare Premium and KidCare Rebate programs is currently limited to those with annual incomes below $38,700 for a family of four. While this figure approximates 200% of the federal poverty line, many of those earning more — the middle class — remain vulnerable to economic factors. Many simply cannot afford to participate in their employers’ private insurance plans, if offered.
Without All Kids, the average local family can expect its health insurance burden to increase. The consequences of uninsurance for families can be devastating. The National Health Interview Survey of 2000-2001 found that a full 59% of uninsured children had not made a well-child visit within the previous year, meaning they likely had no access to disease screenings and professional guidance on growth and development. Unfortunately, since the out-of-pocket cost of a physician office visit can be prohibitive, many middle-class and low-income parents who understand the fundamental steps in safeguarding their children’s health may be denied the opportunity to take them for preventive care.
Emergency room care and complicated interventions for preventable diseases cost more in the long run than regular annual exams and screenings, burdening both families that are directly affected and local businesses that often shoulder part of the increased costs for employee health care. The primary care case management model at the core of All Kids is a preventive strategy that will eliminate many of these costs in the long run and should be adopted.
The number of uninsured children in DuPage County is now estimated at 18,244, or 7.2% of those under 18. If the members of the General Assembly vote to adopt Governor Blagojevich’s All Kids plan, these figures will fall and Illinois will be the first and only state in the nation to eliminate child uninsurance.
Rob Bisceglie is a Democratic candidate for State Representative in the 45th District, where he seeks to improve the quality of life, ensure that every tax dollar is well spent and promote responsive representation.
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[Editor Note: Must be Rob Bisceglie night (who knew?) - you can read a lot more about Rob and his race in the 45th District here.]
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