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Dem Gov Candidates Split On Health Care

Pawar, Pritzker and Biss
Brian Mackey
/
NPR Illinois
Democratic gubernatorial candidates, from left: Chicago Ald. Ameya Pawar, J.B. Pritzker, state Sen. Daniel Biss

One of the Democrats running for governor of Illinois is proposing a huge expansion in a government healthcare program.

Under current law, Medicaid is for people who are elderly, poor or disabled. J.B. Pritzker wants to let anyone buy into the program.

Pritzker says rising insurance premiums — along with attempts to repeal Obamacare — mean many Illinoisans could lose coverage.

And he says because people would be paying their own way, there’d be no extra cost for the state. Two other Democrats in the race say the plan doesn’t go far enough.

State Sen. Daniel Biss and Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar both want single-payer systems. That’s where Illinois government would take over paying for medical care from private insurance.

Pritzker says he supports the single-payer concept at the federal level.

State Week logo
Brian Mackey
/
NPR Illinois
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Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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