Illinois Gov. Blagojevich to stop enrolling people in expanded FamilyCare program

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) will follow a judge's orders to stop enrolling uninsured residents in his expanded version of FamilyCare, a state program that subsidizes health care for families, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports (AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/6).

The Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules in February voted 8-2 to reject, for the second time, an emergency order by Blagojevich to expand the FamilyCare program. The legislative oversight committee first rejected the expansion in November 2007. Currently, families with annual incomes up to $38,202 are eligible for the program. The committee, in voting against the plan, questioned how the state would pay for an expansion (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 2/28). According to the AP/Tribune, Blagojevich "expanded his FamilyCare program anyway," extending the program to families of four with annual incomes up to $83,000.

A judge last month ordered Blagojevich to stop enrolling additional residents. In a memo dated April 22, the committee directed health care workers to stop enrolling adults who earn more than $13,832 annually in the program. According to the memo, pregnant women who earn up to $20,800 will still qualify for the program. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services officials said the 30,000 residents who have already been enrolled in the program will continue to receive coverage. The administration is appealing the court's ruling (AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/6).