Health Care Task Force on adequate Health Care

I thought the Gov told us Illinois had the best system in the US but it seems like the Adequate Health Care Task Force is going to recommend a Mit Rommney style mandated insurance program to get Illinois to adequate. From Crain's yesterday on the report to be presented in Jan 2007.

A state task force on Thursday recommended a far-reaching reform of Illinois' health care system that would require most employers to offer medical coverage and calls for $3.6 billion in new state spending.

The plan also recommends an "individual mandate," which would require every state resident to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty. People who make less than 400% of the federal poverty line would qualify for some state subsidies. For an individual, 400% of the poverty line is currently $39,200.

The proposal comes from a 29-member panel created through a 2004 law that set as Illinois' official policy "to insure that all residents have access to quality health care." The task force, appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the four legislative leaders, will report its recommendations to the General Assembly in January.

The hefty price tag could make the proposal a tough sell in Springfield, where lawmakers face difficult funding choices for education, mass transit and the state's pension system.