State Representative Kay Hatcher today helped win House passage of historic Medicaid reforms – a key component to fixing the state’s budget crisis. Hatcher (R-Yorkville) said the compromise reform package was the result of months of painstaking review of programs and services to cut costs and preserve crucial benefits for those most in need.
“There’s no getting around the fact that our Medicaid program is growing at an unsustainable rate and is headed for collapse if we don’t take action,” Hatcher said. “The reforms we passed today cut a total of $1.6 billion from our Medicaid budget while making sure help will continue to be there for families and seniors who need it.”
Hatcher said Senate Bill 2840 focuses first on eliminating waste and fraud by ensuring those receiving benefits are truly eligible. She stressed that 300,000 individuals are expected to be scrubbed off Illinois’ Medicaid rolls because they do not meet income eligibility guidelines, are not Illinois residents, have died, or have aged-out of the All Kids program. This eligibility verification alone will save taxpayers $350 million. The legislation also requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to report directly to the Auditor General on their progress implementing the reforms.
Rep. Hatcher noted that Senate Bill 2840 does not include Governor Quinn’s proposed cigarette tax increase or the proposed Medicaid expansion moratorium waiver for Cook County.