Cook County could get Medicaid reprieve
SPRINGFIELD — As part of a greater package deal to try to cut the state’s Medicaid costs, Illinois lawmakers Thursday sent Gov. Pat Quinn a plan that could let Cook County enroll 100,000 more people in the program in 2014 to try to save the county money.
The plan would seek a waiver from the federal government to put patients the county is already caring for into the Medicaid program once President Barack Obama’s health care reform law is scheduled to take effect in 2014.
If the waiver is approved, the county would get federal money to help pay for the patients’ care.
Supporters characterized the proposal as an easy decision, given that it would lure federal money to the struggling state and county without spending local money.
But Republican opponents decried the plan as one to further implement Obama’s controversial health care plan and cost the federal government money.
It was approved by a 62-55 vote in the Illinois House and 35-33 vote in the state Senate.
The legislation is linked to other plans approved Thursday and still under debate that would try to cut the state’s Medicaid expenses by $2.7 billion.
How they voted on Cook County measure
How suburban lawmakers voted on a plan to try to get federal Medicaid money for Cook County.
Yes
Senate: Suzi Schmidt, Lake Villa Republican; Susan Garrett, Lake Forest Democrat; Don Harmon, Oak Park Democrat; Linda Holmes, Aurora Democrat; Tom Johnson, West Chicago Republican; Dan Kotowski, Park Ridge Democrat; Terry Link, Waukegan Democrat; John Millner, Carol Stream Republican; Michael Noland, Elgin Democrat.
House: Linda Chapa LaVia, Aurora Democrat; Franco Coladipietro, Bloomingdale Republican; Rita Mayfield, Waukegan Democrat; Randy Ramey, Carol Stream Republican; Angelo Skip Saviano, Elmwood Park Republican; Mike Fortner, West Chicago Republican; Sidney Mathias, Buffalo Grove Republican; Rosemary Mulligan, Des Plaines Republican; Elaine Nekritz, Northbrook Democrat; Timothy Schmitz, Batavia Republican.
No
Senate: Pamela Althoff, McHenry Republican; Kirk Dillard, Hinsdale Republican; Dan Duffy, Lake Barrington Republican; Chris Lauzen, Aurora Republican; Matt Murphy, Palatine Republican; Carole Pankau, Roselle Republican; Christine Radogno, Lemont Republican; Ron Sandack, Downers Grove Republican.
House: Chris Nybo, Elmhurst Republican; Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat; Keith Farnham, Elgin Democrat; David Harris, Arlington Heights Republican; Tom Morrison, Palatine Republican; Dennis Reboletti, Elmhurst Republican; Ed Sullivan Jr., Mundelein Republican; Michael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican; Sandy Cole, Grayslake Republican; Michael Connelly, Lisle Republican; Tom Cross, Oswego Republican; Jack Franks, Marengo Democrat; Kay Hatcher, Yorkville Republican; Michelle Mussman, Schaumburg Democrat; JoAnn Osmond, Antioch Republican; Sandra M. Pihos, Glen Ellyn Republican; Darlene Senger, Naperville Republican; Carol Sente, Vernon Hills Democrat.