The Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on Tuesday voted 8-2 to reject, for the second time, an emergency order by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) to expand the state's FamilyCare program, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The legislative oversight committee first rejected the expansion in November 2007 amid concerns that it was not approved by the state Legislature (Brenning, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/27). Under the expansion, which could reach 147,000 people, eligibility would be extended to families of four with annual incomes up to $82,600. Currently, families with annual incomes up to $38,202 are eligible for the program. The committee, in voting against the plan, questioned how the state would pay for an expansion (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 12/6/07).

In a statement, Blagojevich spokesperson Rebecca Rausch said, "We will move forward and continue to, within the parameters of the law, assist the uninsured in getting access to affordable coverage as well as helping to protect coverage for working parents within the FamilyCare program" (Chicago Sun-Times, 2/27). Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Barry Maram said, "It is clear in our minds that we have the authority to do this," adding that the agency has expanded the program "numerous times" without legislative approval.

Agency officials on Tuesday announced that an additional 3,300 people have enrolled in FamilyCare since November 2007, the Chicago Tribune reports. Officials said the expansion will cost about $14 million this year and will not require additional funds. A hearing has been set for March 11 on a lawsuit filed against the Blagojevich administration's plan to expand the program without legislative approval (Meitrodt, Chicago Tribune, 2/27).