Gov. Blagojevich Administration Remains Committed to Coverage Expansion for Sick Young Adults

All Kids Bridge, a plan by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) to expand health coverage of seriously ill or injured young adults ages 19 to 21, still does not exist one year after it was announced, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports. In August 2007, Blagojevich said that he could authorize an expansion of All Kids, a program that offers state-subsidized coverage for young adults with serious medical conditions, without legislative approval because he was changing eligibility rules for an existing program, not creating a new one. The expansion was estimated to cost up to $20 million annually.

Susan Hofer, a spokesperson for the state Division of Insurance, said Illinois continues to be "entirely committed to All Kids Bridge," adding, "At this point, the administration is still working with the (insurance) board to finalize program details." She added that because nine out of the 12 members of the insurance board were serving expired terms or awaiting state Senate confirmation, it was difficult for them to approve the expansion (AP/Chicago Tribune, 9/8).