ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS ARE PASSING A MAJOR COMPONENT OF A MEDICAID REFORM PACKAGE.

THE PLAN MAKES ABOUT ONE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN MEDICAID CUTS…ELIMINATING SOME PROGRAMS, LIKE ILLINOIS CARES R-X…AND REDUCING ELIGIBILITY TO SEVERAL OTHERS. WHILE SOME WILL LOSE OUT UNDER THE CUTBACKS…REPRESENTATIVE SARA FEIGENHOLTZ OF CHICAGO SAYS THEY FACE NO OTHER CHOICE IF THEY WANT TO PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF MEDICAID COVERAGE AT ALL.

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HOUSE MINORITY LEADER TOM CROSS ADDS THEY WILL MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM…ACTUALLY BELONGS THERE.

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THE REFORMS ARE IN PART CONTINGENT ON LAWMAKERS PASSING A ONE DOLLAR A PACK TAX INCREASE ON CIGARETTES. THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.