Today: Governor Quinn Signed Medicaid Reform Bill
Today the Governor signed the bi-partisan comprehensive Medicaid reform bill that was negotiated by me and Senator Dale Righter (R, Matoon), my co-chair of the Senate's Special Committee on Medicaid Reform. This new law will both improve health outcomes for the 2.8 million Medicaid recipients in Illinois and reduce costs for the State. Since Medicaid accounts for one-third of the State's General Revenue Fund budget, bringing these costs under control is critical to addressing our State's fiscal crisis. Elements of this bill include:
· Expanding coordinated care programs to cover 50% of Medicaid recipients within 4 years (currently only 150,000 of the 2.8 million people on Medicaid are in managed care programs);
· Tightening the integrity of the eligibility process and increasing civil penalties for recipients who abuse the system to control fraud and abuse;
· Reducing costs of prescription drugs by maximizing co-payments, reducing payments to pharmacies, an requiring pre-authorization of certain drug classes;
· Creating a long-term care budget that will promote moving patients out of large institutions into home and community based settings;
· Establishing an income limit for enrollees of All Kids to 300% of the federal poverty level; and
· Phasing out the practice of allowing unpaid bills from one budget year to be paid out of the following budget year's appropriation.
You can read the entire bill here for further details.
SIGNING OF THE ILLINOIS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PROTECTION AND CIVIL UNION ACT (SB1716)
It was truly an honor to be a part of passing the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (SB1716). With this law, Illinois joins the handful of U.S. states that have expanded recognition and rights to all families. I encourage you to attend the signing of this historic legislation.
WHEN: January 31, 2011 @ 4pm
WHERE: Chicago Cultural Center
78 East Washington Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
ADDITIONAL: Members of the public are invited to witness this historic occasion. As space is limited, RSVP's to gov.civilunionsrsvp@illinois.gov are encouraged. Guests without an RSVP will be seated as space is available.
Best Regards,
Heather Steans
State Senator-7th District
