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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Thursday, October 23, 2008 3:41 PM CDT
Blagojevich defies taxpayers on details of health care program

By the ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — First, Gov. Rod Blagojevich gave out state-subsidized health care without permission.

Now, he won’t tell taxpayers how many people are participating, how much tax money has been spent, or even which state account he’s using to keep funds for the program.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ rejection of The Associated Press’ request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act amplifies the mystery surrounding Blagojevich’s FamilyCare program and the administration’s reputation for secrecy after promising open government.

It comes 3 1/2 weeks after a state appellate court ruling questioned whether the records even exist. The ruling upheld a lower-court order last spring that Blagojevich dismantle the program he didn’t have authority to expand.

Barring a Blagojevich victory on appeal to the Supreme Court, the information will be crucial as HFS tries to unravel what it’s created.

The AP requested, among other things, the number of those signed up, the total amount of income-based premiums paid by participants — who might lose coverage after the court rulings — and the total spent.

“It should be readily available there for our staffs and the general public. Most other states actually give out (numbers of) enrollees by county,” said Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, chairman of the House Insurance Committee and co-chairman of the Legislative Audit Commission. “I can’t understand a denial of what should be public information.”

HFS rejected the request under exceptions in state freedom of information law for releasing information that could jeopardize an administrative enforcement hearing or data related to insurance “claims, loss or risk management information.”

Releasing the number of participants by county, the denial letter said, would violate federal and state laws against disclosure of “individually identifiable health information.”

HFS didn’t explain what administrative enforcement hearing is under way or how the other exemptions apply.

HFS Director Barry Maram has not returned calls from the AP and his public information officer has failed to answer questions in e-mails and phone calls.

Lucio Guerrero, spokesman for the Democratic governor, did not return a call seeking comment.

Senate Insurance Committee Chairman William Haine, an Alton Democrat, said Blagojevich is hurting himself because the data might help him convince the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to do what he wanted in the first place.

Blagojevich sought universal health care last year but legislators said no. Then he focused on increasing eligibility for state-subsidized FamilyCare to an income level of $83,000 for a family of four. A bipartisan legislative rules-making body said no — twice. Secretary of State Jesse White also said no.

Blagojevich proceeded anyway, claiming executive authority. Two prominent businessmen and a Chicago lawyer sued.

Now Cook County Circuit Judge James R. Epstein has ordered HFS to explain how it’s going to disassemble the program, despite a possible Blagojevich appeal.

The administration hotly disputed the appellate court’s claim in September that the administration can’t identify participants, contact them, monitor payments or say where premium payments are and how much remains. HFS spokeswoman Annie Thompson said at the time HFS lawyers simply did not have the information on hand when Epstein requested it at an April hearing.

But none has been disseminated since.

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sapient wrote on Oct 23, 2008 1:43 PM:

" The man should be recalled if possible and spend time in prison. "

Amvet1361 wrote on Oct 23, 2008 9:53 PM:

" My son and his family qualify for the All Kids insurance through the state of Illinois. It is only right! Together he and his wife earn approx $44,000/yr. Healthcare is a necessity. They were trying to pay $250/mo for insurance just for the 2 kids. My sons employer covers him, but his wifes work offers no insurance, and they still cannot afford to cover her. At least the Governor seen to it that the kids are covered at a fair price. They still pay for the insurance, just not $250/mo! "

85CHSGrad wrote on Oct 23, 2008 10:28 PM:

" Everyone in the U.S. should have healthcare, I agree. But, you have to at least be able to see what is going on. I support Rod on most of this issue, but some transparency is in order. "

gringa wrote on Oct 23, 2008 10:59 PM:

" amvet, just a guess, but I'm betting that your son or daughter-in-law, or perhaps one of their children (if they're old enough), could get at least one part time job and easily pay for the health insurance. Before expecting someone else to pay their way, shouldn't they work a few extra hours a day to buy their own insurance instead of expecting a hand out from taxpayers? Whatever happened to taking care of business? Sounds like you raised a wimp? Is that about right? "

Becky wrote on Oct 24, 2008 8:48 AM:

" Our health(scam)care system is so broke in this country. Do you realise that over half of the bankruptcies in this country are due to medical bills and the people who were sick HAD HEALTH INSURANCE!!! All of you who are so determined that universal health care is a socialist system, have you ever thought what could happen to you or someone in your family if a debilitating/serious health problem occured to you? You could loose everything and still owe several thousands of dollars AFTER your so-called health unsurance paid what they deemed necessary expenses. We need universal coverage and the current amount of money going to health care would cover the costs with a bunch left over. Getting rid of the middleman would save BILLIONS a year alone! "

K.S. wrote on Oct 24, 2008 10:51 AM:

" a wimp? "

Harry Potter wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:49 AM:

" For once I agree with sapient, and he should be sharing a cell with George Bush and or Dick Cheney, who between them have caused more damage to this country than Blago could in a lifetime. "

Mike P wrote on Oct 24, 2008 2:35 PM:

" Hopefully this will be but one nail in his crate of federal charges he is hopefully convicted of.

Courts have ruled on his healthplans, because it can't be verified how any money coming in or going out is handled, plus several other important details any insurace plan is supposed to be at least capable of finding and producing in a timely manner.

As noble a cause as universal coverage for kids or everyone is, right now it can't work. Unless insurance companies are regulated and strictly inforced,it will be a money pit of unprecidented size.

Hmo, is a joke. Until the system is fixed, putting more people in it, is going to make it harder to fix as you go. All the medicaid, care, cobra, is an abyss as well. Hospital visit expenses are through the roof, it's a cycle of waste and corruption. Boards on all sides reap the rewards, while people in the trenches and needing treatment, have to struggle to get through the process, system, and billing barrages.

Anyone in Blago's plans needs to keep receipts, canceled checkes, and any supplied information or statements. It is a concern right now that people have paid premiums, and may not get anyhting in return. Portions of it have been judged illegal, and finding out you don't have the insurance you thought you had, is more stress usually at a bad time for it. If there is another option than Blago's iffy plan, check into it. Once he goes to prison, I doubt too much in the way of apologies or restitution will be headed to his constituents. "

Harry Potter wrote on Oct 24, 2008 2:55 PM:

" Sounds like you raised a wimp?

-----------------

Gringa, sound like a compassionate conservative along the lines of Bush. "

Amvet1361 wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Gringa,

you have alot of nerve coming on here saying anything about ripping off the taxpayer

Don't make me go there "

red,white,blue wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:40 PM:

" amvet: $250/month sounds like a bargain to me. Health care is NOT a right. I would also bet that it's not easy finding providers who will take All Kids because they know they may not get paid back by the state. Can you blame them? Let's face it, like so many things he does, Blago defied everybody and went ahead with this program, as stated, without permission from anybody. I look forward to the day when he will be sharing a cell with George Ryan because he most assuredly deserves to for many reasons. "

midright wrote on Oct 25, 2008 6:44 PM:

" Amvet1361, I paid for my insurance, I paid for my wife's insurance and I paid for my children's insurance. Now why in the h*** should I also have to pay for your son's kids insurance. He had them, he should support them. And Becky Universal Health insurance is socialism! Perhaps you want a system like in most European countries--resources are scarce so they go to those who have more "life left." Old folks are at the end of their run so health care is just a "comfortable" thing, not a life saving endeavor. Ask Randy Stroup of Dexter, Oregon. He has/had prostate cancer and was on public health insurance, the "government" decided not to waste any money on him and offered him assisted suicide instead. "