Legislative action alert: Please help protect access to health care for Illinois children
Over the last several years, the State of Illinois has successfully introduced a number of initiatives to expand access to health care for children, particularly with the implementation of All Kids. As a result of these initiatives, enrollment of newborns to 18 years old in Medicaid has increased by 38% from 2000 to 2006.
However, pediatric specialists are reimbursed at an average of just 33 cents for every dollar of cost to care for their young patients covered by All Kids and Medicaid.
What are the consequences of inadequate reimbursement? Here are just a few examples:
- Many doctors can no longer afford to participate in the All Kids program.
- Families with All Kids coverage often wait six months or more for an appointment with a pediatric specialist who participates in the program.
- Due to a lack of pediatric specialists in some parts of the State parents must drive many hours from their home just to get the care their child needs.
- Illinois is at risk of losing talented pediatric specialists to other states with better reimbursement rates, threatening the quality of care for all children.
Illinois is in crisis. Unless Governor Blagojevich and the General Assembly take action, millions of Illinois children could be denied access to the specialized health care they need.
Children across our state need access to specialized care for their kids. Whether it's an emergency, chronic illness, or serious injury, thousands of Illinois children are treated by a pediatric specialist every day. Pediatric specialists include pediatric neurologists, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric rheumatologists and other physicians who have specific training to treat a child's complex health care condition.
We Care For Illinois Kids is a coalition of physicians, families and concerned citizens like you. Please join us in calling on our elected officials to reverse this catastrophic trend and protect our children's access to the very best health care in Illinois.
Go to http://www.wecareforillinoiskids.org/ and send a message today to your state representatives and the Governor before May 31.
Thank you for your consideration of this important request.