SPRINGFIELD | Gov. Rod Blagojevich's latest effort to expand health care to poor Illinoisans may hit another roadblock Tuesday.
The Democratic governor's proposal, which would extend health coverage to 147,000 low-income adults, will be debated by a special committee of lawmakers who have the power to stop the move.
State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, predicted that the bipartisan panel will reject the plan.
"My guess is that it will be prohibited," said Rutherford, who is a member of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which meets Tuesday in Chicago.
A Democrat on the panel agreed.
"It's going to fail," said state Rep. David Miller, D-Dolton.
Blagojevich's proposal would more than double eligibility for the state-run health care program known as FamilyCare.
Under his proposal, a family of four with a combined income of $82,600 would qualify for the insurance. That's up from an income level of $38,203.
The governor had originally planned to implement the program with legislative support. But, the House last spring overwhelmingly rejected his plan to raise taxes on businesses in order to pay for the expansion.
Blagojevich now wants to put the plan in place using an emergency rule.
"Numerous studies show that lack of insurance negatively affects the health status of individuals posing a threat to their health and well being," the proposal notes.
State Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare, who sits on the committee, questioned whether such quick action is needed.
"I don't know what has changed that would make this an emergency," said Burzynski, who intends to vote against the proposal.
Miller called the governor's tactic a "stunt" and an "end run" around the legislature.
Opponents say the budget for state health care programs would run out of money before the fiscal year ends in June.
Teresa Kurtenbach, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, put the price tag at $43 million. Lawmakers say it could be nine times higher than that.
While Miller supports the goal of expanding health care, he said the governor needs to sit down and work out a compromise with the General Assembly.
"I think folks are a little tired of it," said Miller.
-- Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or (217) 789-086.
