SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Some 1.4 million adult Illinoisans lack health insurance, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants the state to do something about it. Here's a closer look at his "Illinois Covered" proposal and the questions it raises:

Q: What is Blagojevich proposing?

A: A combination of programs that, together, would help everyone in the state obtain health insurance if they want it. The poorest would be entitled to free coverage. Others would get help paying for insurance options already available to them, such as plans offered through their jobs. Still others could buy low-cost insurance the state would arrange.

Q: Who would qualify?

A: Anyone earning four times the federal poverty rate or less could qualify for some kind of assistance. That threshold would be about $40,000 for one person or about $82,000 for a family of four. The amount of assistance would depend on how much money they make.

Q: What would it cost?

A: For the poorest people, nothing. People making less than the poverty level would be able to sign up for a state program similar to Medicaid that would provide free coverage. People making more money would get financial aid, but they still would have some out-of-pocket costs.

Q: How high would the out-of-pocket costs be?

A: It would vary. Take, for example, two families of four making less than twice the poverty level. If one family had the option of buying insurance through an employer, then they would pay between $300 and $600 a year and the state would cover any other costs. The other family, without employer-provided coverage, would be able to buy state-provided insurance at $1,000 to $2,000 a year.

Q: Would the state actually start offering insurance policies?

A: No. But it would require insurance companies to offer a low-cost policy that would be available to everyone, no matter what their health condition. The state would act as a kind of agent for all the people needing that insurance, negotiating rates with the companies and picking up some of the costs.

Q: What would all this cost the state?

A: The governor's office estimates it would cost about $2.1 billion a year when all parts are up and running in 2010. That's in today's dollars, however. Given rising health care costs, the actual pricetag could be higher.

Q: Where would the money come from?

A: Largely from businesses. Blagojevich wants to create a new tax on every business transaction in the state. That would generate billions of dollars, and some of the money would be set aside for Illinois Covered. He's also proposing a new payroll tax on businesses that don't provide health insurance for their employees.

Q: Would Illinois Covered offer any benefits for business?

A: Businesses would be able to participate in a low-cost insurance program the state would arrange through private insurance companies. That means some companies that now cannot afford to offer insurance to their workers might be able to start providing it.

Q: Couldn't lots of businesses enroll employees in the cheaper state coverage? Or just drop coverage completely?

A: They could, but Blagojevich's proposal would make it difficult. Companies that don't offer insurance would have to pay the payroll tax. Only small companies can join the state program, and they wouldn't be allowed to drop their old coverage for 18 months. If they did, they'd be required to drop it for all employees -- including management.

Q: So what do businesses think of the plan?

A: They generally object. Most business groups oppose the new taxes, arguing they would hurt the economy and that government services should be supported by individual taxpayers, too.

Q: What services would the insurance cover?

A: Doctor's visits, inpatient and outpatient services, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. Dental and vision coverage would also be available.

Q: This is for adults. What about children?

A: Blagojevich and lawmakers already have created programs meant to make sure affordable health care is available to every child.

Q: I don't have insurance. Would I have to sign up for this program?

A: No. It would be voluntary -- at least initially. Blagojevich's aides said they might later consider requiring people to get health insurance.