The threat of large spending increases normally extinguishes any talk of expanded health coverage. In the wake of the financial system’s speculative collapse, Barack Obama told reporters that he would have to delay initiatives promised on the campaign trail. But international experience demonstrates that universal coverage need not be contingent upon high spending; indeed, the rest of the industrialized world provides comprehensive health benefits to all citizens for around half of the current U.S. outlay.
In fact, Illinoisans already pay enough to cover comprehensive, high-quality care for all – we just don’t get it. The reason we don’t is because insurance companies waste billions of our premium dollars on marketing, underwriting, denying coverage, and fighting claims. Eliminating this profit-focused paperwork would save at least $17 billion annually, enough to provide health care for all Illinoisans without paying more than we already spend. The Health Care for All Illinois Act (HB 311), introduced by Rep. Mary Flowers, is Illinois’ best option for fixing our broken health care system.
