CARBONDALE -Much of the conversation in state government is on resolving the state's underfunded budget, but one state lawmaker wants to open the discussion to include health care.

Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, is trumpeting a piece of legislation she sponsored that calls for a single-payer universal health care system in Illinois.

Flowers said she plans to be in Carbondale next week to discuss the legislation and get feedback from citizens who want to "make their voice heard" on health care. She will host a hearing at 7 p.m. June 25 at the Carbondale Civic Center.

"The average family is paying $6,700 a year for health care in Illinois and guess what? They are not better for it, and they are not healthier for it," she said. "Other countries pay less, get more and live longer."

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said he welcomes Flowers and her efforts to draw attention to health care.

"Even if you don't agree with her, you have to respect her willingness to get issues out there for debate that she thinks are very important," he said.

Flowers said health care reform would be part of a solution for the state's current budget woes.

"Right now our state is in a crisis and part of that crisis is our Medicare budget, as well as the pension," she said. "Let's eliminate that problem. If we were to have a single payer, it's a possibility that we could save billions (of dollars) and have everyone in Illinois fully covered."

Count State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro among those who don't agree with Flowers on the matter of state-funded health care.

Bost said state-funded health care can't work as it will cause migrations of citizens across state lines by those looking to use the service and in the other direction by citizens looking to escape paying the tax bill for it.

"I think it's fine if she (Flowers) wants to bring it up for debate," Bost said. "But the reality is that, whether you agree or disagree with universal health care, you can't have it in one state and not others."

blackwell.thomas@thesouthern.com

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