CHICAGO (WBBM) -- After months of controversy, the state of Illinois today begins offering benefits under the controversial "All Kids" insurance program.
WBBM Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports Gov. Blagojevich Thursday estimated that 43-thousand children are signed up. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services personnel estimated last month that 50-thousand children would be signed up the first year.
The effort is the signature program of the governor's health care efforts. It offers insurance to all Illinois children not covered by the low income Kids Care program, regardless of income or pre- existing conditions.
Under the program, families earning $40-60,000 a year will pay $40 a month for one child and $80 for two or more, with a doctor's office co-pay of $10 a visit.
Those families with incomes of $60-80,000 will pay $70 a month for one child and $140 for two or more, with a doctor's office co-pay of $15 a visit.
The program caps monthly premiums at the rate for two children, so families with any additional children would pay the rate for two.
Start-up costs are estimated at $45 million. By the fifth year, the Blagojevich administration anticipates 204,000 children will be signed up at an annual cost to the state of $96 million.
The administration is paying for the new program by shifting the 1.6-million Illinoisans enrolled in KidCare, FamilyCare and traditional Medicaid to a manged care system.
Some GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns about the cost, and the state's ability to afford the program. It has become an issue in the race for governor. Republican Judy Baar Topinka has questioned the need for an insurance program that covers middle-income families.
This week, Gov. Blagojevich staged a news conference at U.s. Cellular Field at which several families who are signed up for All Kids praised the program.
Soledad Diaz of Aurora said that the program will allow her to seek treatment for the first time in three years for her daughter Cathy's soft cleft palate. Her son Luis has severe asthma.
"I've had a hard time getting insurance because of pre-existing conditions," she said, admitting that she questioned whether she would qualify for All Kids until told that it accepts pre-existing conditions.
Rosaria Martinez has one child with asthma and heart trouble, and another with rheumatoid arthritis and vision problems.
"I don't care about myself. I just care about (getting coverage for) my kids," she said.
Gov. Blagojevich signed the program into law in October. Since early December, it has been the focus of a high-profile advertising initiative.
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