One more try at Illinois-run insurance marketplace?
Illinois lawmakers may have one more chance to approve a state-run health insurance marketplace during the fall legislative session that starts Wednesday. But it could be an uphill slog despite new forces that change the political calculations.
Supporters see increased urgency because of an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision and a looming deadline for federal grant money.
Gov. Pat Quinn supports the idea. A bill passed last year in the Illinois Senate and sponsors are readying a House version.
But disagreement remains over whether the insurance industry should pay the estimated $50 million annual operating cost. That may continue to hang up the idea.
House Speaker Mike Madigan has pushed for bipartisan support for a new government agency to run the exchange and Republican votes may be hard to find.