medicaid

Rep. Loebsack Writes 2nd Hospital Letter

Jason Parrott — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:24:09 +0000

Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA2) is once again pushing for the Obama Administration to help Keokuk Area Hospital with its financial challenges.

The Fiscal Cliff and Cuts to Popular Programs

Bill Knight and Bill — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:49:14 +0000

All the yakking about a fiscal cliff seems to fall somewhere between mistaken Mayan prophecies about Doomsday and hypersonic skydiving from space.

The lame-duck 112th Congress – hamstrung by Tea Party Republicans in the House and filibuster-happy Republicans in the Senate – is proposing to Democratic President Barack Obama that Social Security, Medicare and other social services be cut. Meanwhile, the Economic Policy Institute has released a report with a solution: Cut the deficit by growing the economy.

Keokuk Area Hospital Appeals Ruling

Jason Parrott — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:27:31 +0000

Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) is helping in the effort to secure a key designation for Keokuk Area Hospital.

He sent a two-page letter, earlier this week, to the Acting Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In it, the Congressman wrote of his support for the hospital’s appeal of the agency’s denial of Critical Access status for the facility.

CEO Wally Winkler says receiving that designation would help the hospital through some very difficult financial times.

Schock Says Provision Prevents Medicaid Reform

James Lenz — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:48:44 +0000

Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock (R-18) says a provision of the Affordable Care Act prevents Illinois from enacting serious Medicaid reform. That provision prevents states from reducing benefits or tightening requirements to qualify for Medicaid.

The House has passed a measure to repeal that provision.

Schock says, “They (federal government) have Illinois trapped right now in a situation where they can't reduce their budget deficit, reduce their spending.”

Crunch Time for Illinois Lawmakers

Rich Egger — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:35:35 +0000

Illinois lawmakers are heading into the home stretch of their 2012 session. But they still need to approve a budget before they can adjourn.

They've been working for months to try figuring out how they can cut two of the state's biggest expenses: pensions and Medicaid.

Some lawmakers are not pleased with the pace.

"Well, why would you be concerned? We've got two and a half weeks left. We've got all the time in the world to fix our problems here in the state of Illinois,” remarked Representative Joe Lyons (D-Chicago).

Quinn Medicaid Rx Encounters Opposition

Rich Egger — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:51:00 +0000

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said it's time for state lawmakers to "step forward" and rescue the state's Medicaid system, even if requires some painful decisions.

The Democratic governor wants lawmakers to approve his plan for filling a $2.7 billion hole in the system. It includes reducing services for the poor, cutting payments to health-care providers, and raising cigarette taxes by $1 a pack.

Senator Anticipates Medicaid Cuts

Jason Parrott — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:53:29 +0000

State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) says everything is on the table when it comes reforming Medicaid in Illinois.

Governor Pat Quinn proposed a $2.7-billion dollar cut to the program in his budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Sullivan told a crowd of 50 during a town hall meeting in Hamilton that some savings can be found through the scaling back of programs and the elimination of waste and fraud.

Hammond Says Medicaid Reform Bill is Key to Cuts

James Lenz — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:57:40 +0000

State Representative Norine Hammond says Illinois could save about half the Medicaid money the governor targeted in his budget address.

Governor Pat Quinn wants to cut $2.7 billion from Medicaid spending for next fiscal year.

Hammond said Quinn signed a bill into law about a year ago that tightened Medicaid eligibility requirements. The changes never took effect because the state needed a federal waiver first. The waiver request was denied.

State Faces Hard Choices for Budget Reform

James Lenz — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:16:23 +0000

In his budget address, Governor Pat Quinn, said three-quarters of Illinois' pension burden is for people who don't work for the state. It covers some of the pension costs for teachers and others who are employees of local government bodies.

State Senator John Sullivan (D-47) said the state must bring all the stakeholders to the negotiating table to find a long-term solution to funding pensions.

Civic Federation Issues Gloomy Budget Forecast for Illinois

Rich Egger — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:19:52 +0000

Illinois legislators face more bad budget news.