Legislative action center - Please take action now
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 children on 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. 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 with specific training to treat a child's complex health condition.
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 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 the General Assembly takes action, millions of Illinois children could be denied access to the specialized health care they need.
Take action here: http://capwiz.com/wecareforillinoiskids/home/