Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) today announced a new legislative proposal designed to help hundreds of thousands of the "working uninsured" in the state gain access to health care through affordable health insurance.
The proposal, which requires all private health insurance carriers in the state to participate, would require qualified small businesses with between two and 50 employees - in addition to offering the currently mandated small group insurance coverage - to offer a basic health insurance option tailored to meet their needs.
"This proposal adopts an incremental approach that could have a major impact on a significant segment of our state's uninsured population, and at the same time, reduce uncompensated care," said Paul S. Boulis, BCBSIL president. "And it doesn't disrupt the existing health care system, which serves the 84 percent of Illinoisans who are insured." "One-size-fits-all proposals that totally overhaul the system have not proven to be cost effective," he added.
More than 1.7 million (16 percent) of Illinoisans don't have health insurance Some 16 percent, or more than 1.7 million Illinoisans do not have health insurance - approximately 1.1 million of them are either employed or are family members of the employed. A significant portion of the uninsured works for small businesses.
"Not having health insurance can be detrimental to people's personal and financial health and well-being," said Boulis. "Further, uncompensated care is a burden on individuals, employers, providers and others, because it increases health care costs overall. The proposed legislation would reduce uncompensated care by bringing new resources into the health care system.
"Proposal for "working uninsured" in small businesses While the proposal would require small business owners to offer their employees basic health coverage, it would not require them to contribute to premiums. Those businesses that choose to contribute would be offered state tax credits. Means testing would ensure that people who need this benefit the most, the working uninsured, get it. Employees of businesses that qualify for the program would be guaranteed access to the new benefit option."We're offering a simple proposal that would help the state overall, individuals, small businesses and providers, in addition to the working uninsured," said Boulis. "We call upon members of the Illinois General Assembly to help make this proposal a reality in order to increase access to health care through affordable health coverage."Proposal part of mission"
This proposed legislation is consistent with BCBSIL's mission, which is to provide access to high-quality, cost-effective health care to as many people as possible in the markets it serves. As the largest and one of the oldest providers of health insurance in Illinois, BCBSIL believes its expertise can help inform this dialogue and solve the problem of the state's uninsured population.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IllinoisBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC) is the largest health insurance company in Illinois. It began in 1936 as Hospital Service Corporation with the Blue Cross symbol officially adopted in 1939. Currently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois provides health insurance coverage for 6.9 million people.
HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment