By Kevin Lee 217-528-9844

SPRINGFIELD  — A Republican state representative wants the state to stop expanding its public health care programs.

Patti Bellock of Westmont is proposing lawmakers refrain from granting insurance to individuals who currently earn too much money.

Bellock says the state cannot afford to add to the state’s roll people can afford insurance.

021610Bellock1                                                              :11.5                                                       “…not to expand them.”

Bellock’s proposal would impose a two-year moratorium on expanding eligibility on state-subsidized healthcare programs.

Those programs include Medicaid, which provides medical insurance to the poor and disabled, and two programs that grant insurance for children.

Kathy Chan with the Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition says Bellock’s proposal could prevent vulnerable populations from obtaining care in the future.

021610Bellock1                                                     :07.8                                                            “…expand any programs.”

Bellock says the state cannot afford to bring in new groups of enrollees because of a massive budget crisis.

She adds that under her proposal, lawmakers could overrule the moratorium through a three-fifths majority in both chambers.

A legislative committee is scheduled to vote on the bill next week.