Illinois state auditors have reported that 1,328 adults were enrolled in the “All Kids Health Insurance” program, resulting in $1,192,008 being spent on individuals who were above the age limit for the program. The findings come from a performance audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General and cover the period from July 2018 through March 2020.
According to the audit, these adult enrollees received a total of 11,011 services after their 19th birthday. The report also noted that beginning in March 2020, coverage was allowed to continue for those over the allowable age due to COVID-19 policy changes. Additionally, auditors found duplicate enrollees during fiscal years 2019 through 2022.
The issue of improper eligibility documentation has been persistent. Auditors have identified problems with supporting documentation for determinations of eligibility in each of the previous ten expanded All Kids audits dating back to fiscal year 2009.
“The Auditor General’s report made recommendations that failed to cite language from the law, but rather used what appears to be auditor-created language. For example, from page [ii] of the report: What does the law say about the items above?” stated Edgar County Watchdogs.
The organization further questioned accountability within state agencies: “If our laws issue a mandate for these state agencies and those mandates are being ignored, in this case for at least 10 years, why have the law if we are not going to enforce it with punishments for those violating it? I think a safe argument can be made that the failure to comply with this law for 10 years would constitute felony official misconduct under the first prong of the law.”
They cited Illinois statute regarding official misconduct: “A public officer or employee or special government agent commits misconduct when, in his official capacity or capacity as a special government agent, he or she commits any of the following acts: (1) Intentionally or recklessly fails to perform any mandatory duty as required by law;”
Edgar County Watchdogs concluded by asking: “Does anyone in Government ever get held accountable?”
The full performance audit is available on the Illinois Auditor General’s website, where reports on various state agencies can also be accessed.
