Illinois Wins Millions in Federal Performance Bonus to Reward Cutting Red Tape in Connecting Children to Health Care
This week, Illinois received national recognition from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the exceptional strides it has made in covering children. As part of this recognition, Illinois was rewarded a $15 million performance bonus. Illinois is one of the top 15 states in the country at cutting government waste and making taxpayer dollars go further to protect the health of Illinois children.
Research shows that the best results for children’s health and for the most efficient use of public funds are accomplished by quickly connecting children to preventive health care and then making sure that care is not interrupted. The Illinois performance bonus is a tribute to the public servants in our state who work every day to make the Illinois All Kids program function in this smart and effective way for Illinois children. In so doing, they make government work better and more efficiently for all Illinoisans.
All Kids has had bi-partisan support from its beginning in Illinois, including the minimizing of bureaucratic red tape. Until now, leaders on both sides of the aisle have been committed to the effort to help families get the best kind of health care for their children, through coverage, quick connection to preventive care, and continuity of care. This is not only the best way to achieve good health outcomes for the children and to accomplish short- and long-term savings on their health care, but it has now also generated two years of federal performance bonuses (Illinois received $9 million last year).
We urge Illinois leaders to continue this successful course for All Kids use these well-deserved performance bonus funds to maintain this commitment and sustain this progress in securing Illinois children’s health. This is especially important during challenging economic times as families need the security of knowing that programs like All Kids are there for their children.
Andrea Kovach coauthored this article.
For years we've shouted help the children and yes it's an honorable effort; however, in order for the children to continue to receive and benefit, the parents' needs should also be addressed. I've believed this from the beginning of the efforts in Illinois. Why not campaign to help the entire family?