While Hawaii’s experiment with universal coverage is disrupting health coverage for thousands of children, a similar drama unfolds in Illinois:

Last year, the legislature twice turned down [Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s] plan to expand health care — first for universal coverage, then to expand income-eligibility requirements for state-subsidized care. But Blagojevich began enrolling families anyway, claiming he had sufficient authority…

[Cook County Circuit Judge James] Epstein issued a preliminary injunction in April banning state officials from spending money on the program. That decision was upheld last month by the Illinois Appellate Court.

[Epstein] said he sympathized with low-income families, some of whom have paid insurance premiums under Blagojevich’s expansion and would lose coverage. But he said they “do not have a right to continue to receive coverage under this improperly promulgated program.”

Patients are getting jerked around by their government? You don’t say. The Blagojevich administration’s response to this judicial smackdown was something short of penitent.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services issued a statement following the judge’s action saying it was “currently reviewing the decision, but the governor is committed to making sure that these families continue to get the insurance they need.”

Did King Rod miss that day in Civics class when they explained that the legislature writes the laws?

I’ve criticized supporters of universal coverage for practicing what amounts to an unacknowledged religion. But this has to be the first time I’ve seen religious fervor tempt one of the faithful to assume the powers of a monarch.