Medicaid reform package breaks promises to taxpayers
Medicaid reform package breaks promises to taxpayers
Lawmakers pushed an overall Medicaid reform package that fails to live up to the promises made to taxpayers.
UPDATE: House concurs with early implementation of ObamaCare
UPDATE: House concurs with early implementation of ObamaCare
Earlier today, we reported that the Illinois Senate passed HB 5007, which will implement key portions of ObamaCare nearly two years early in Cook County. Moments ago, the House concurred, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk. Much like the Senate vote earlier today, it was clear that the outcome was certain before the bill ever came...
Illinois Senate moves to implement ObamaCare early
Illinois Senate moves to implement ObamaCare early
by Jonathan Ingram The Illinois Senate just passed HB 5007, which will implement key portions of ObamaCare nearly two years early. We’ve previously debunked the myths surrounding this plan, explaining how it fails taxpayers. From the Senate gallery, I watched as the vote was taken with virtually no debate or discussion. It was clear that the outcome was...
ObamaCare disaster: Why Cook County waiver fails taxpayers
ObamaCare disaster: Why Cook County waiver fails taxpayers
Lawmakers have been tasked with reducing Medicaid spending by $2.7 billion. Last year, lawmakers came together and decided – almost unanimously – that until the state could actually operate the program in a way that served the needs of the most vulnerable, it shouldn’t expand eligibility to overload the system. But earlier this year, Gov....
Medicaid reform bill fails to deliver
Medicaid reform bill fails to deliver
House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 2840 fails to live up to the promises made to taxpayers. While this bill is an improvement over earlier drafts, there is still cause for alarm.
See what they’re saying about the Institute’s Medicaid plan
See what they’re saying about the Institute’s Medicaid plan
Since Monday morning, the Institute's plan has been in the news more than 30 times all across the state.
From National Review: Does Illinois GOP support Obamacare?
From National Review: Does Illinois GOP support Obamacare?
National Review Online cites an Institute blog post.
Rescuing Medicaid: How Illinois can reform Medicaid without rate cuts and tax hikes
Rescuing Medicaid: How Illinois can reform Medicaid without rate cuts and tax hikes
In February, Gov. Pat Quinn told lawmakers that to rescue Illinois’ Medicaid program, the state would need to “reduce expenditures in the program by $2.7 billion” for fiscal year 2013. But so far, neither Quinn nor lawmakers have proposed a plan that does so. The Illinois Policy Institute has proposed reforming Medicaid into a premium assistance program,...
Medicaid math: Why tax hikes aren’t spending cuts
Medicaid math: Why tax hikes aren’t spending cuts
In February, Gov. Quinn told lawmakers that in order to rescue Illinois
Gov. Quinn’s plan for Medicaid: hike taxes and cut access to care
Gov. Quinn’s plan for Medicaid: hike taxes and cut access to care
Moments ago, Gov. Quinn released his plan to cut Medicaid spending by $2.7 billion. So what does that plan actually look like? It looks like a tax hike coupled with even worse access to care for the poor. Sen. Dale Righter and Rep. Patti Bellock have both voiced opposition to the Governor’s plan, and the Medicaid working...
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
The problem Illinois state government owes more than $83 billion to the pension plans it operates for retired employees; servicing this obligation is crippling the state’s budget. But pension debt is only part of the story. Much less publicized are the additional obligations the state has taken on to provide health insurance for pensioners, the...
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
Illinois state government owes more than $83 billion to the pension plans it operates for retired employees; servicing this obligation is crippling the state
Medicaid fiscal notes advances
Medicaid fiscal notes advances
Institute proposal to put "price tags" on Medicaid legislation advances out of Senate committee.
Day 3: ObamaCare at the Supreme Court
Day 3: ObamaCare at the Supreme Court
Today was the final marathon session of oral arguments over ObamaCare. It began this morning with the question of what to do with the rest of the law if the individual mandate is struck down, a very real possibility after yesterday's hearing.