November 6, 2008

Contact Your State Senator to Support and Pass SB1415 for FamilyCare

Next Wednesday (Nov. 12), the Illinois Senate returns for its annual fall veto session. One of the bills under consideration, Senate Bill 1415, would maintain the existing FamilyCare Program, which includes medical coverage for families with incomes from 133% of the federal poverty level to 185% (about $38,000 a year for a family of four). However, a recent court ruling could jeopardize the continued coverage for tens of thousands of adults within those income guidelines. IHA supports preserving this level of coverage under SB1415. The House has already passed SB1415 by a vote of 113-2.

Action Requested: Call or email your state Senator as soon as possible and ask him/her to vote "Yes" on the motion to concur on SB1415 during the veto session.

Health coverage under the FamilyCare Program for as many as 40,000 Illinois adults is at risk due to ramifications of a recent court decision involving a taxpayer challenge to the Governor’s new expansion of the program to cover families up to 400% of the federal poverty level. By invalidating the Governor’s expansion, the ruling also placed into doubt program coverage for families earning incomes between 133% and 185% of the federal poverty level.

SB1415 clarifies the law and preserves FamilyCare coverage for the tens of thousands of adults up to 185% of the poverty level. If this level of coverage is not preserved, as many as 40,000 individuals might lose their coverage and medical providers might not be paid for services rendered to this population.