In one of Pundit's blog threads about America's parties, there's been a discussion about Health Insureance in the United States. I don't want to clog that thread on political parties up with off-topic stuff, so I brought the discussion, if anyone cares to continue it, here.

I also don't know how it works in every state as the states are allowed some leeway in the details in Medicaid implementation, so I'll just provide some information about Illinois.

In Illinois, a family of four has to have a family income less than $38,208/year to qualify for the Family Care program. For reference, the Federal Poverty Level in 2006 numbers was $20,000.

The average rent in Illinois for a two bedroom in 2006 was $829 or just under $10,000 a year. If things are tight, you can feed a family of four on roughly $100 per week in groceries (this will vary widely - and trust me when I tell you I've done it). You can get a car for as little as $200 a month. So for $17,548 you have a two bedroom apartment, a car, and food.  Please note, I'm not including all of the other programs for which you are eligible at this level of family income such as food stamps, housing reimbursement, utility bill relief, earned income tax credits (where you get a refund even though you don't pay taxes at this level of income).

At the poverty level ($20,000/year - $9.75/hr), this leaves you $254 a month for all other expenses - and qualifies you for Family Care Assist. This covers includes $2 per visit, $0/$3 for prescriptions (generic/brand), $0 for use of emergency rooms for non-emergencies, and $0 out-of-pocket.

At 150% of the poverty level ($30,000/year), it leaves $1,038 a month for other expense. This still qualifies you for Family Care Assist as above.

At 191% of the poverty level ($38,208), you are left with $1,721 a month for all other expenses.  This is the upper limit of the Illinois FamilyCare program. You are eligible for the FamilyCare Premium. Your premium is $35 a month.  It's $5 for a visit, $3/$3 for prescriptions (generic/brand), $25 for use of emergency rooms for non-emergencies, and $100 max out-of-pocket.

At 200% of poverty ($40,000 /year - $19.51/hr), this leaves you $1,871 a month for all other expenses. It, however, removes you from eligibility for FamilyCare programs.

I've tried to leave as much commentary out as possible, except to note, where applicable, other programs that are covering things outside of the discussion of health insurance.

Questions?  Comments?

It's worth noting that the governor wants to increase the FamilyCare limit to 400% of the poverty level, which is in his new budget.

Which isn't getting passed because the state Democrats are far too busy trying to fuck each other over to get any governing done.

He's proposing to do this by cutting $500 million of "useless pork" such as school repairs, police and fire department funding, five pages worth of State Board of Education projects (because an educated populace might realize it shouldn't rely on the government for everything) and other stuff no one could possibly use.

Nobody is happy with the budget except the governor, and he's threatened that if it isn't passed just the way he likes it, he'll lay off 90% of the Illinois State Police in January.  Which showcases the maturity and intelligence I've come to expect from this state government.

I don't really have anything good to say about our governor, either. He's screwed the education system before, and he'll do it again, and that's not the first of his faults, either.