Affordable Care Act

Early implementation of ObamaCare headed to Gov. Quinn’s desk

By Jonathan Ingram
05/25/2012
Last night, we reported on a bill that is headed to the Governor’s desk which would allow the Quinn administration to implement key provisions of ObamaCare in Cook County nearly two years early. This bill was pushed through the legislature with virtual no debate or discussion on the floor. Last year, lawmakers decided — nearly unanimously —...

UPDATE: House concurs with early implementation of ObamaCare

By Jonathan Ingram
05/24/2012
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

By Jonathan Ingram
05/24/2012
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

By Jonathan Ingram
05/24/2012
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

05/22/2012
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.

Medicaid 59: A detailed list of reforms

By Jonathan Ingram
05/21/2012
In February, Gov. Quinn told lawmakers that the rendezvous with reality had arrived. He informed them that they must “reduce expenditures” in the Medicaid program by $2.7 billion this year. Soon thereafter, lawmakers in the House committed to reducing “the accrual of Medicaid obligations” by $2.7 billion. The following proposal meets this goal without steep...

Where is the leadership​?

05/18/2012
Every now and then you find out whether leaders and legislators are truly for reform or whether they simply use the concept to advance electoral imperatives. The upcoming votes on Medicaid, pensions and the state budget will be illuminating. Things are moving quickly in Springfield, and the most urgent issue on deck is Medicaid. Leadership...