Illinois owes Springfield hospitals $76 million

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois owes Springfield's two largest hospitals $76 million for the care of state workers, retirees and dependents, an amount that continues to grow due to the state's budget impasse.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield reports (http://bit.ly/20i1kKM) Memorial Medical Center is owed $46.3 million from the State Employees' Group Health Insurance Program. The hospital also is owed $10.9 million in Medicaid bills.

Chief Executive Officer Edgar Curtis says the not-for-profit hospital isn't going to lay off any workers, freeze hiring or downsize any programs that affect patients.

HSHS St. John's Hospital is owed about $30 million for the care of state employees and others covered by the group insurance plan. However, CEO Dr. Charles Lucore says the hospital won't postpone plans to construct a $40 million medical office building for Southern Illinois University Medical School doctors focused on women and children.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com