State Medicaid Cuts – Illinois

Illinois Medicaid group strains for $2.7 billion in cuts, By Carla K. Johnson (AP), April 15, 2012, Rockford Register Star: “As state leaders push for a prompt agreement on where to cut a breathtaking $2.7 billion from Illinois’ Medicaid program, the two Republicans and two Democrats designated to come up with a deal are confronting fundamental differences, including over a proposal to resurrect a cigarette tax increase as a way to soften the blow. While a final list of cuts hasn’t been determined, coming into focus are possible points of agreement on reductions in spending for the health insurance program for nearly 3 million poor and disabled Illinois residents, according to interviews with committee members and committee background materials obtained by The Associated Press…”