The Illinois Auditor General's recent report detailing the costs and lack of controls in the massive free healthcare expansion called "All Kids" pushed by ex-Gov. Blagojevich and supported by Rep. Kevin McCarthy is another prime example of the need for new leaders and greater accountability in Springfield.
The report, summarized here: http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/Performance-Special-Multi/Performance-Audits/10-All-Kids-Hlth-Ins-Pgm-digest.pdf outlined some disturbing facts: more than 94,000 kids had family incomes in excess of program limits (200% of poverty) or were illegal aliens; the program collected a meager $8.9 million in premiums and cost the state $70 million in claims without any federal reimbursement; the two state agencies responsible for much of the program failed to follow state regulations in administering it.
Taxpayers across Illinois deserve better. They deserve programs that are properly administered, efficient and benefit actual citizens.
You can read the full report here: http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/Performance-Special-Multi/Performance-Audits/10-All-Kids-Hlth-Ins-Pgm-Full.pdf
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Issue Focus: State Budget
The General Assembly failed to pass a final budget and adjourned “at the call of the chair” – meaning members will return to Springfield when the leaders call them back to vote on a final spending plan.
Lawmakers can’t seem to agree on what to do. The main debate centers around more borrowing, more taxes, and more spending (recall, the governor’s own introduced budget was billions in the red). Some have called for spending cuts, but there is no consensus on what and where. Clearly, there is waste and inefficiencies in government spending, but we have no room for either with a $13 billion dollar debt.
It is time for a line by line review of the budget, a forensic audit of state government agencies and ending the wasteful spending on non-essential programs so we can fund those that truly matter – the teacher in the classroom, the crumbling bridge repair, the community organization helping the disabled and public safety.
The simple question is: do you really expect the people that have gotten us into this financial mess will be the same ones who get us out of it? If not, then it is time to give someone new a chance to do a better job.
Lawmakers can’t seem to agree on what to do. The main debate centers around more borrowing, more taxes, and more spending (recall, the governor’s own introduced budget was billions in the red). Some have called for spending cuts, but there is no consensus on what and where. Clearly, there is waste and inefficiencies in government spending, but we have no room for either with a $13 billion dollar debt.
It is time for a line by line review of the budget, a forensic audit of state government agencies and ending the wasteful spending on non-essential programs so we can fund those that truly matter – the teacher in the classroom, the crumbling bridge repair, the community organization helping the disabled and public safety.
The simple question is: do you really expect the people that have gotten us into this financial mess will be the same ones who get us out of it? If not, then it is time to give someone new a chance to do a better job.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
