http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/02/14/news/doc47b3c4593f2bb784462531.txt

Lawmakers give governor's healthcare expansion cold shoulder

2/14/2008

Pantagraph

Kurt Erickson

SPRINGFIELD — Against the backdrop of looming budget problems, Gov. Rod Blagojevich resumed his push Wednesday for an expensive expansion of state healthcare programs.

Lawmakers pushed back, however, saying they still aren’t confident the state has enough money to bankroll the governor’s plan.

The latest dust-up came on the unofficial first day of the 2008 legislative session, signaling another potentially contentious year for state government.

Blagojevich is seeking approval of his healthcare expansion plan from a bipartisan panel of lawmakers.

But, members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules said they wanted to first hear the governor’s budget address, which is scheduled for next Wednesday. In a unanimous vote, the panel said it wouldn’t act on the expansion plan until Feb. 26.

That drew complaints from Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Barry Maram, who is the governor’s point man on health insurance matters.

“We feel this is a very imperative issue,” Maram said, arguing that the plan should be given a green light.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, who is a member of the panel, said the administration was acting “very unreasonable” by not agreeing to what amounts to a delay of less than two weeks.

Possible lawsuit

Rutherford warned that if the governor’s office proceeds to implement the program without legislative approval, it could result in a lawsuit.

“It may come to litigation again, which is unfortunate for the taxpayers,” said Rutherford.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch attempted to quell the latest flare-up, saying the administration hopes to convince the panel to approve the plan when it meets later this month.

“We look forward to working with the members,” Rausch said.

The governor wants to add 147,000 Illinoisans to the state’s taxpayer-backed healthcare programs.

But, state government is already months behind in paying its bills for existing healthcare services. Comptroller Dan Hynes is warning that the state faces an even tougher budget road this year because of a national economic downturn.

“The bottom line is that the state of Illinois, unlike many other states, has not taken advantage of our five years of economic growth,” he said. “And now as we face a recession, our financial problems are daunting.”

Budget warning

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn also sounded a warning about the budget Wednesday.

“It’s going to be a tough year, and I think we have to batten down the hatches and be ready for sacrifice,” Quinn said.