Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed health care initiative, dubbed Illinois Covered, would have a significant impact on LGBT Illinoisans—including those living with HIV/AIDS—according to a state representative familiar with the plan.
The plan features universal health care for adults lacking coverage—even those with pre-existing conditions. The plan would partially be funded through a 3 percent tax on businesses ( with 10 employees or more ) that don't currently offer health insurance. Existing federal healthcare and Medicaid funds would also help cover costs.
Many of the finer details are still being worked out. However, spokesperson Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, estimates that the initiative will provide health coverage for millions of the state's residents, including hundreds of thousands with pre-existing conditions who have been previously denied coverage.
The Blagojevich administration estimates that 1.4 million Illinoisans are uninsured, and many low- and middle-class families struggle to pay for private insurance.
'This is a huge step in the right direction,' Harris told Windy City Times.
Coverage will also be available on a sliding scale, so it will be affordable. This plan follows the governor's All Kids initiative, which made coverage available to all children in the state.
'The biggest thing that will help people, whether they are people with HIV or people with cancer, or any other pre-existing conditions, is that all people would be covered regardless of past medical history, and that tremendously important,' Harris said.
The Illinois Covered initiative will make a significant impact on those living with HIV/AIDS. 'It will help pay for testing,' Harris said. 'It will help pay for care and treatment. It will help get people's viral load down, and all of those are very important for people leading healthy lives.'
AIDS Foundation of Chicago estimates that around 20,000 Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS would receive comprehensive benefits once the plan is implemented.
'This is a historic moment,' said AFC Executive Director Mark Ishaug in a statement issued following the governor's announcement. 'Quite simply, the governor's healthcare expansion plan has the potential to reverse the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Illinois.'