Health News
The past two weeks were a non-stop affair for health care policy?the ACA saw its 2nd anniversary right before the Supreme court heard oral arguments for the historic case against the law, and here at IHM we premiered our data visualization tool. However, health care reform news has not stopped. Here?s a brief overview of what the next few months have in store for health care in Illinois:
Health Insurance Exchange: State legislators made little progress towards votes on the establishment of a competitive health care marketplace, though negotiations on HB 4141 are underway. Legislators still have time to establish an exchange, but the Federal deadlines are looming closer, and to miss deadlines could cause Illinois to lose out on important Federal grant money. If the group waits to move forward with the exchange until the Supreme Court announces its decision on the ACA case -- a prospect that interests some legislators -- , there may not be enough time to set up a functioning exchange. Governor Quinn has said that he would establish the exchange via an executive order if necessary.
Potential Cuts to Medicaid: The Illinois Medicaid program faces a $2.7 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year. In order to deal with that budget, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has proposed a list of possible cuts to Medicaid services in order to balance the budget. As legislators go into the upcoming spring sessions, many advocates are calling for other methods of fixing the Medicaid budget deficit that do not compromise important health care services that the program provides.
The Illinois General Assembly starts its April sessions on the 17th.. Follow the progress of these health policy issues with IHM!
- How Quinn Can Save The Day On Health Care
There is plenty of confusion and debate about the Affordable Care Act. One element of the 900-plus-page legislation is crystal clear, however: Each state must establish an insurance exchange or the federal government will step in to fill the void. The...
- On This Memorial Day, Don't Forget Uninsured Veterans
A recent study released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that 1 in 10 of the 12.5 million veterans in the U.S. is currently uninsured. Those veterans are more likely to be younger, less likely to be married and are less connected to the labor...
- Choose Wisely, Illinois: Alternatives For Balancing The Medicaid Budget
On Thursday, April 19, 2012, the Governor released a proposal for the reduction of the current $2.7 billion Medicaid budget deficit. The proposal, developed with a group of legislators on the Medicaid Commission, includes $2 billion in cuts to eligibility...
- Illinois Could Create A Whole New Competitive Health Care Marketplace
Earlier this week, a new report was released that highlights how Illinois policy makers can address rising health care costs by implementing an effective health insurance exchange. The federal reform law requires states to create health insurance...
- Illinois Needs A Competitive Health Insurance Marketplace - Sb 1729 Will Establish One
The Illinois General Assembly has a lot of contentious, difficult, and time-consuming items on its 2011 agenda?the state budget, pensions, workers compensation to name a few. But one item?passage of legislation establishing a competitive marketplace for...
Health News
What?s Next for Health Care Policy in Illinois?
The past two weeks were a non-stop affair for health care policy?the ACA saw its 2nd anniversary right before the Supreme court heard oral arguments for the historic case against the law, and here at IHM we premiered our data visualization tool. However, health care reform news has not stopped. Here?s a brief overview of what the next few months have in store for health care in Illinois:
Health Insurance Exchange: State legislators made little progress towards votes on the establishment of a competitive health care marketplace, though negotiations on HB 4141 are underway. Legislators still have time to establish an exchange, but the Federal deadlines are looming closer, and to miss deadlines could cause Illinois to lose out on important Federal grant money. If the group waits to move forward with the exchange until the Supreme Court announces its decision on the ACA case -- a prospect that interests some legislators -- , there may not be enough time to set up a functioning exchange. Governor Quinn has said that he would establish the exchange via an executive order if necessary.
Potential Cuts to Medicaid: The Illinois Medicaid program faces a $2.7 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year. In order to deal with that budget, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has proposed a list of possible cuts to Medicaid services in order to balance the budget. As legislators go into the upcoming spring sessions, many advocates are calling for other methods of fixing the Medicaid budget deficit that do not compromise important health care services that the program provides.
The Illinois General Assembly starts its April sessions on the 17th.. Follow the progress of these health policy issues with IHM!
- How Quinn Can Save The Day On Health Care
There is plenty of confusion and debate about the Affordable Care Act. One element of the 900-plus-page legislation is crystal clear, however: Each state must establish an insurance exchange or the federal government will step in to fill the void. The...
- On This Memorial Day, Don't Forget Uninsured Veterans
A recent study released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that 1 in 10 of the 12.5 million veterans in the U.S. is currently uninsured. Those veterans are more likely to be younger, less likely to be married and are less connected to the labor...
- Choose Wisely, Illinois: Alternatives For Balancing The Medicaid Budget
On Thursday, April 19, 2012, the Governor released a proposal for the reduction of the current $2.7 billion Medicaid budget deficit. The proposal, developed with a group of legislators on the Medicaid Commission, includes $2 billion in cuts to eligibility...
- Illinois Could Create A Whole New Competitive Health Care Marketplace
Earlier this week, a new report was released that highlights how Illinois policy makers can address rising health care costs by implementing an effective health insurance exchange. The federal reform law requires states to create health insurance...
- Illinois Needs A Competitive Health Insurance Marketplace - Sb 1729 Will Establish One
The Illinois General Assembly has a lot of contentious, difficult, and time-consuming items on its 2011 agenda?the state budget, pensions, workers compensation to name a few. But one item?passage of legislation establishing a competitive marketplace for...