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Model Application Template for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

Effective Date:

Approval Date: September 19, 2002 54

Health and Medicine Policy Research Group Seminar On September 11, 1997, the Medicaid Administrator and the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Human Services participated in a half-day seminar hosted in Chicago by the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group, an independent organization generally concerned with issues of access to health care by low income individuals. The seminar was widely advertised throughout Chicago and well over a hundred individuals participated. The seminar included a lengthy audience participation period during which participants were able both to comment to and question the State’s representatives concerning Illinois’ opportunities for implementing the children’s health insurance program.

Medicaid Advisory Committee Title XXI was the subject of lengthy discussions by two the Department of Public Aid’s Medical Assistance Advisory groups. All meetings of both groups are open to the public. On September 19, 1997 as a result of lengthy discussion, the Medicaid Advisory Committee resolved in part that “… the MAC recommends to the Director of IDPA that he support the earliest feasible expansion of Medicaid eligibility to take full advantage of the immediate availability of federal funds at a 35% (state) match.”

Title XXI was also discussed at three meetings of the Managed Care Subcommittee of the MAC on September 2, 1997, October 7, 1997, and November 4, 1997. These meetings were each attended by approximately 50 interested parties in addition to committee members. At each meeting, the Department presented updated information concerning the opportunities presented by the new law and the possibilities for program design. Committee members as well as interested parties asked questions and made comments concerning the direction they thought the state should take in program design.

In addition to the advisory committees already described, the Department held public hearings on this proposed State Plan in both Chicago and Springfield. The Department submitted state administrative rules to implement the program. Prior to the adoption of any state administrative rule, state law requires a public notice process, the consideration of any comments, and a public hearing. The Outreach Advisory Committee will continue to assist the Department in implementing KidCare.

Ongoing public involvement will be accomplished in the following ways: • Legislative changes will be debated in the Illinois General