Monday, November 26, 2007

Illinois Governor Vows to Expand State Control over Health Care

Beaten but undeterred

Categories: Illinois

Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D.-Ill.) proposed a massive expansion of state-run health care last year, and was unanimously rebuffed by the House in the Illinois General Assembly. But he's returning with another plan of dubious quality and questionable legality.

His latest plan? Create a state-regulated insurance pool, funded by an employer mandate in the form of a 3% tax on employers that don't offer insurance.

That's not likely to fly, so the governor is ready to spend $400 million of taxpayers money on his own initiative, apart from legislative approval. The result may be a legal showdown with the Legislature over the governor's authority to spend money.

The plan is being described by one top official in the administration as giving "everybody an option to buy an affordable insurance plan." But just how affordable is "affordable?" From the Springfield Register-Journal: "All insurance companies in the state would be required to offer a Choice policy, which would be comprehensive." Doubtless, loaded up with mandates.