The General Assembly finds that:
         (1) The State is committed to improving the health
    
and well-being of Illinois residents and families.
        (2) Illinois has over 835,000 uninsured residents,
    
with a total uninsured rate of 7.9%.
        (3) 774,500 of Illinois’ uninsured residents are
    
below 400% of the federal poverty level, with higher uninsured rates of more than 13% below 250% of the federal poverty level and an uninsured rate of 8.3% below 400% of the federal poverty level.
        (4) The cost of health insurance premiums remains a
    
barrier to obtaining health insurance coverage for many Illinois residents and families.
        (5) Many Illinois residents and families who have
    
health insurance cannot afford to use it due to high deductibles and cost sharing.
        (6) Improving health insurance affordability is key
    
to increasing health insurance coverage and access.
        (7) Despite progress made under the Patient
    
Protection and Affordable Care Act, health insurance is still not affordable enough for many Illinois residents and families.
        (8) Illinois has a lower uninsured rate than the
    
national average of 10.2%, but a higher uninsured rate compared to states that have state-directed policies to improve affordability, including Massachusetts with an uninsured rate of 3.2%.
        (9) Illinois has an opportunity to create a healthy
    
Illinois where health insurance coverage is more affordable and accessible for all Illinois residents, families, and small businesses.

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 20 ILCS 2230/5-5

  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14
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