When Cliff Sorrell of Decatur had to go on disability from his job as a laborer, his family's health insurance skyrocketed from $800 every three months to $2,300.
Between his and his wife's income, they could not afford health insurance for their two children, Cody, 7, and Indya, 5.
In the full year that their children were uninsured, the Sorrells were forced to take out loans from their bank to pay the out-of-pocket expenses of medical bills. However, with a few clicks of the computer mouse in January, Cliff Sorrell discovered that his children were eligible for the newest program of health insurance in Illinois.
Under All Kids, families will be required to pay a premium based on their yearly income, and a co-pay for doctors' visits. There is no charge for yearly checkups and immunizations. Based on the Sorrells income of between $40,000 and $60,000 a year, they will pay $80 a month for both children to be insured, and a co-pay of $10 for each visit to the doctor.