Proposed legislation supported by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has been filed in Springfield that would cut nearly $1.4 billion from the state's Medicaid program.
The measure was filed Monday as a House amendment to a Senate bill. It includes $240 million in payment rate cuts to hospitals and nursing homes. But it spares rural community hospitals and urban hospitals that care for poor patients. The measure eliminates most dental care for adults, but keeps emergency dental care. It would eliminate Illinois Cares Rx, a program that helps nearly 200,000 seniors get prescription drugs. That's drawing concern from the advocacy group AARP. Sponsors say Quinn's proposed cigarette tax will be dealt with
separately, but will be needed to make the plan work.
The legislation is SB2840.