CHICAGO - January 19, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement in support of the federal Affordable Care Act:
"The Affordable Care Act has already provided Illinois with many of the tools and resources needed to ensure that more of our families and employers have access to important health care benefits and consumer protections.
Through Illinois' federally-funded high risk pool, we have secured health coverage and financial security for more than 1,000 people who were denied coverage by health insurance companies because of pre-existing conditions. We are currently expanding that program to ensure access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage for even more individuals who have been denied private coverage.
We have seen 121,000 Illinois seniors receive $250 rebate checks to help cover the costs of prescription drugs. And health insurance companies must now cover immunizations, mammograms and other important preventative care procedures without charging the high deductibles and co-payments that once deterred consumers from routine checkups.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more students graduating from college in Illinois can remain covered under their parents' health insurance policies. And children in Illinois can no longer be denied health coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
We intend to implement the Affordable Care Act so that our families and employers have appropriate health care options and much-needed financial security. Everyone in Illinois deserves access to meaningful and affordable health care.
I urge the 112th Congress to move this country forward in positive, constructive debate focused on affordable health care for all Americans, rather than re-visiting the politics of the past."
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