Illinois lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a plan that revamps the way hospitals are paid for treating low-income patients.
The current "Hospital Assessment Program" expires in July - and with it billions of dollars in federal matching funds. Some hospitals say they could be forced to close.
State Representative Patti Bellock, a Republican from Hinsdale, says approving the plan should keep that from happening.
"Every one of your hospitals is going to receive money. Everybody in the state of Illinois will receive good access and excellent quality of care."
A spokeswoman for Governor Bruce Rauner says the administration helped negotiate the measure but still needs to review the final bill.
If he signs it, the plan still needs federal approval, which could take up to a year.
Lawmakers say they've accounted for the potential delay.
