Medical groups in Illinois say they are worried that the state's new universal coverage program for kids will encounter the kind of problems its Medicaid program has run into in recent years. Gov. Rod Blagojovich (D) is selling the All Kids program, which goes into effect July 1, as a way for the state to make sure that kids in families without insurance have access to healthcare services. The Illinois Medical Association says many physicians may not participate in the program. The state is also launching a disease management program that will provide care for 160,000 Medicaid recipients with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. The new programs come at a time when the Blagojevich administration is on shaky ground with many physicians over its healthcare policies. Starting next year, Illinois will make a form of managed care, known as primary care case management, mandatory for 1.6 million Medicaid recipients.
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