Governor Blagojevich’s Legislation to Provide Health Care

“All Kids” Plan Discussed for the First Time in Washington at National Press Club Briefing

Washington, D.C. - Today, at a press conference at the National Press Club, Governor Blagojevich spoke about his historic “All Kids” plan. This plan makes Illinois the first state in the country to provide comprehensive health care coverage to all uninsured children.

“We congratulate Governor Blagojevich for making the ‘All Kids’ plan a reality,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. “The ‘All Kids’ plan is a historic initiative and a great step forward for families throughout the state of Illinois.”

The Governor’s plan would extend help to the 253,000 uninsured children in Illinois whose families earn too much to qualify for public health programs but still not enough to afford private health insurance. Unfortunately, this is a problem faced by millions of working families across the country.

A study released by Families USA in October, Good for Kids, Good for the Economy, shows that not only will this plan help families with uninsured children, but it will also help the economy of the state. The "All Kids" program will generate an estimated $87 million in business activity in all sectors of the Illinois economy, as well as an estimated $30 million in new employee wages.

“This enormous breakthrough may become a model for other states and the federal government, encouraging them to extend help to children all across the country” said Pollack.

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org