Crespo Pushes for Greater Transparency in the Last Days of the Spring Legislative Session

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, passed legislation through the House last week urging the auditor general to conduct audits on private insurance companies that provide Medicaid.

"This resolution is an essential move toward increased government transparency and fiscal responsibility," Crespo said. "Due to the changes in how Medicaid is dispersed, it's important that we take the necessary steps to ensure that the system is effective and efficient."

Previously, Illinois provided Medicaid through fees for service. However, the state has begun moving away from this, moving Medicaid recipients to managed care organizations (MCO). This transition has resulted in billions of dollars being spent without a measurement in place to determine its efficiency and effectiveness. Hence, Crespo's House Resolution 100 urges the auditor general to conduct audits on private insurance companies that provide Medicaid.

"AMITA Health supports Representative Crespo's efforts to provide much needed transparency of Medicaid Managed Care contracts," said Kelley Clancy, Senior Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer for AMITA Health. "Any time the State pays vendors billions of taxpayer dollars, legislators must be confident that the State is receiving the value taxpayers deserve."

House Resolution 100 was adopted with bipartisan support.

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes all or portions of Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.