Governor Blagojevich announces new partnership with CVS/Pharmacy to help families sign up for the Governor's "All Kids Program"

 

BARTONVILLE - In his continued effort to ensure every child in Illinois has access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a new partnership with CVS/Pharmacy in Illinois to help families learn about the Governor's All Kids program. CVS/Pharmacy, which has over 225 locations in Illinois, has already trained their Illinois pharmacists on the All Kids program to help families learn how to sign their kids up for healthcare. CVS/Pharmacy will also make applications and bag stuffers available at pharmacy counters and will promote the All Kids program on large pharmacy signs and window banners.

 

Under Governor Blagojevich's leadership, Illinois has provided health coverage to more than 350,000 children who didn't have it before. The Governor's recently-proposed Illinois Covered plan would continue that progress by providing access to healthcare to the 1.4 million uninsured adults in Illinois and helping many middle-income families and small businesses that are currently enrolled in health insurance plans save thousands a year on healthcare costs. 

 

"Every child should be able to see a doctor or get medicine when they're sick.  We've put a great program in place here in Illinois that is helping thousands of families meet their children's healthcare needs - but we want to make sure no family is left out.  Advertising and outreach are critical to helping us reach our goal of making sure every uninsured child in the state has coverage," said Gov. Blagojevich. "I want to thank CVS/Pharmacy for doing their part to make sure their customers know about the help that's available to them through the All Kids program. Together we are putting our resources where they matter most - in working families."

 

The CVS partnership with the Governor's All Kids program will continue through June.   CVS/Pharmacy has trained their pharmacists statewide on the Governor's All Kids program and will encourage families who are uninsured to sign their children up for healthcare coverage.   CVS/Pharmacy will also make All Kids applications available at pharmacy counters. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Barry Maram joined CVS pharmacists and executives as well as families in the Peoria area community today to announce the new partnership.

 

"CVS/Pharmacy is proud to partner with Governor Blagojevich's All Kids program because it is bringing affordable healthcare to kids who are in need," said Dave Purdy, Area Vice President for CVS/Pharmacy. "We believe this program offers a solution to a growing problem in our communities."

 

Shortly after taking office, the Governor increased the income threshold for children in KidCare from 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to 200 percent, and in November 2005, the Governor signed All Kids into law, making healthcare affordable for the families of every uninsured child in the state.  All Kids made Illinois the first state in the nation to offer affordable, comprehensive health coverage to every uninsured child. 

 

 "Governor Blagojevich has made it a priority to make sure that every child in the state can see a doctor and get the prescription drugs they need to stay well," said Barry Maram, Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.  "His leadership has set the bar among states in providing access to healthcare for all children. I am excited to see businesses such as CVS/Pharmacy stepping up to join the Governor in his efforts to help families in their communities get the care they need."

 

Since the All Kids program was signed into law in November 2005, the Governor's Office and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) have been aggressively reaching out and traveling to communities across the state to make sure eligible families know about the program and local healthcare providers, social service agents and community leaders are armed with the information they need to help families enroll.  Families can also apply for the program by calling 1-866-ALL-KIDS or by visiting www.allkids.com.

 

 The Governor's All Kids program makes comprehensive health insurance available to all uninsured children, and All Kids covers immunizations, doctor visits, and many other healthcare services such as hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, as well as medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. Parents pay monthly premiums and co-payments for a variety of services.

 

For example, a family with two children that earns between $40,000 and $59,999 a year will pay a $40 monthly premium per child and a $10 co-pay per visit to a physician. A family with two children earning between $60,000 and $79,999 will pay a $70 monthly premium per child and a $15 co-pay per visit to a physician. However, there are no co-pays for preventative care visits, such as annual immunizations and regular check ups, as well as screenings for vision, hearing, appropriate development and preventative dental.

 

The state will cover the difference between what parents contribute in monthly premiums and the actual cost of providing health care for each child.  In addition, physicians seeing children will receive payment within 30 days of submitting a payable claim.

 

Studies have shown that children with health coverage are more likely to get preventative care, stay healthy and succeed in school.

 

While the Governor's "All Kids" plan, which took effect last year, extended coverage to all children in the state, approximately 1.4 million adults in Illinois are currently uninsured. A majority, roughly 75 percent, are from families with moderate incomes or higher. The Governor's Illinois Covered plan will provide affordable coverage to the uninsured and will also help many middle-income families and small businesses that are currently enrolled in health insurance plans save thousands a year on healthcare costs. The plan will also reform the existing healthcare system to improve quality and require more accountability.

 

The Governor also proposes expanding the existing FamilyCare program to 400 percent of the federal poverty level for those who do not have access to employer sponsored coverage, to expand health benefits for workers with disabilities, and to allow dependants to retain coverage until age 29. Additionally, the state will work with both consumers and healthcare providers to develop a Roadmap to Health that will improve the state's overall healthcare system and promote wellness, while better managing chronic conditions, the most important component for driving down overall healthcare costs.