My fellow Illinoisans,
After nearly a century of false starts and following more than a year of national debate, my colleagues and I have finally passed sweeping health reform legislation, which President Obama signed into law.
We've achieved historic reform - but many Illinoisans have been left wondering: "What exactly does this mean for me?"
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Senator Burris greets Illinois medical professionals. |
There are a number of key provisions that will take effect almost immediately. These include:
- Tax credits for as many as 144,000 small businesses in Illinois
- Immediate access to affordable coverage for 201,233 Illinoisans who are currently uninsured due to a pre-existing condition
- Medicare improvements and lower-cost prescription drugs for 1.8 million Illinois seniors
- Prohibiting insurance companies from using pre-existing conditions as an excuse to deny care to 3.2 million Illinois children
And this is only the beginning. Once the new law is fully implemented, family health insurance premiums will be reduced by $1,630-$2330 with no reduction in benefits. Up to 1 million Illinoisans will receive tax credits. Approximately 1,100-1,700 jobs will be created in our state. A total of 570 Community Health Centers in Illinois will receive additional funding.
In Illinois and across the country, this landmark reform law will provide tremendous benefits in both the short term and the long term. It is even projected to cut our deficit by $143 billion in the first ten years and an astounding $1.3 trillion in the decade after that.
Please log on to my website at burris.senate.gov to contact me with any questions or concerns and find out about the work I'm doing on your behalf in Washington. On the issue of health care reform and on every other challenge we face, I am proud to represent you in the U.S. Senate, and I remain committed to fighting for your interests every day.
