Governor Pat Quinn says saving the Illinois Medicaid program will require cutting services, raising cigarette taxes and cutting payments to health-care providers.
Governor Quinn released his plan Thursday afternoon. Quinn is proposing a cigarette tax increase of $1 per pack. He expects the tax to generate about $337 million, which would then be matched by the federal government. Quinn’s plan also would end health care services for about 215,000 people and limit the use of programs that the federal government deems optional. Governor Quinn’s plan calls for a $1.3 Billion in cuts to 58 items in the Medicaid budget along with a $675 million cut in the amount paid to doctors, hospitals and others who provide care to the poor.
The top republican in the Illinois House says he won't go along with Gov. Quinn's call for higher cigarette taxes to help the state's struggling Medicaid program. Minority leader Tom Cross says House republicans oppose any tax increase to solve the state’s Medicaid crisis. Cross says Governor Quinn said in his budget address that the state needs to reduce Medicaid expenditures and didn't mention a tax increase. Cross says he'll hold Quinn to his word.
The Governor says Medicaid costs are climbing so fast the state can't keep up.
