Under pressure, Ill. pays overdue Medicaid bills

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is speeding up payment of overdue bills so the state can qualify for more federal money.

Illinois has fallen far behind in paying its bills, particularly to the hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies that care for the poor. They sometimes have to wait 150 days to be paid.

The federal government is providing economic stimulus money to help cover Medicaid costs, but only if states reduce their payment cycle to 30 days or less by June 1.

Quinn said Monday that Illinois is using $200 million in federal funds to begin catching up on old bills.

The Democratic governor says Illinois is "committed to paying its bills." He says the money will help struggling businesses stay afloat during the recession.