A Republican Illinois senator who's a leader on Medicaid has some kind words for Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed legislation, but he's not quite ready to call it bipartisan.

Sen. Dale Righter says he likes the section that - as he puts it - "cuts up the state's Medicaid credit card."

Righter says the state has been able to delay Medicaid payments by pushing them into the next fiscal year. The bill would phase out that ability. He calls that an "important long-term reform."

Righter was a member of a bipartisan committee that tried to agree on how to cut Medicaid.

He says he's still reading the 474-page measure and withholding judgment.

A spokesman says the Illinois Hospital Association also is still evaluating the bill.