Healthcare
A healthcare system that focuses on patients’ choice will be the right approach to this evolving debate. We need to bring healthcare providers to the discussion table and develop efficient, affordable policy to make healthcare accessible to all. Here are additional common sense steps for healthcare solutions in Illinois:
Freeze all Expansions of Medicaid
In July 2000, the income eligibility threshold for the senior and disabled population was increased and, as a result, approximately 136,000 new citizens enrolled in the program. In October 2002, the income eligibility threshold for parents of low-income children (already eligible for coverage) were also increased. As a result, another 170,000 people enrolled in the program. In June 2004, the trend continued and Medicaid was further expanded to provide family planning and related services to women of child-bearing age that were above the previous income level. Finally, in November 2005, Medicaid was expanded once more and, as a result, an additional 69,000 citizens enrolled. Today, more than 2.45 million people, over 19% of Illinois'' total population, are enrolled in Medicaid.
According to estimates by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the costs of Medicaid liability are growing at an annual rate of 7%. If this trend continues, Medicaid spending will reach approximately $22 billion in 2019, which represents approximately 50% of Illinois' entire state budget. It will crowd out other state spending priorities, such as public safety and education. Something has to be done.
Under President Obama’s federal stimulus plans, states must maintain current Medicaid eligibility levels in order to ensure the preservation of federal matching dollars. In Illinois, where Medicaid represents one of the largest and fastest growing portions of the State budget, this federal restriction poses a problem, but the greater problem is legislators’ out of control spending. We cannot begin the discussion of reducing Medicaid eligibility until we agree to stop expanding it. I advocate imposing a moratorium on all Medicaid expansions during this fiscal crisis. To date, Illinois has an unresolved budget deficit of more than $13 billion, not including the near $5 billion owed in unpaid bills and the $83 billion in unfunded public pension liabilities. We CANNOT continue expanding programs when we are unable to fund them at current levels.
Medicaid Reform
In addition to a moratorium on further expansion of the Medicaid program, we must increase the program’s efficiency and make it more cost-effective. We must make our Medicaid system more efficient and cost-effective. I am a strong proponent of managed care systems. Many tax-paying residents in Illinois are currently in HMOs and PPOs. Switching Medicaid to a managed care system is projected to result in a 20% annual savings. As Medicaid costs Illinois $13 billion annually, this measure will result in $2.6 billion in annual savings. Governor Quinn's proposal to increase personal income taxes by 33% and corporate taxes by 21% is anticipated to draw a combined additional $2.8 billion of state revenue annually. Switching to managed care will not only essentially eliminate the need for a tax hike, but it will also make Medicaid more efficient, sustainable, and will provide better care for participants.
Fighting Medicaid Fraud
With Medicaid spending totaling over $13 billion in Illinois, it represents one of the largest and fastest growing components of our state's budget. Of that $13 billion, we are losing $1 billion annually to fraud. As your State Representative, I will support focusing resources towards Medicaid fraud prevention. Please note that for every $1 we spend on Medicaid fraud enforcement, we will recover $12.50 in savings.
Tort Reform
Without these reforms, healthcare costs will only continue to rise, qualified doctors will leave Illinois, and patients' access to affordable healthcare will suffer drastically. The traditional system no longer works. The inequities and inefficiencies of our medical liability system have a negative impact on the cost and quality of healthcare as well as access to adequate healthcare. Additionally, the practice of wasteful, defensive medicine to reduce or avoid tort liability and frivolous lawsuits is a major contributor to healthcare costs. For these reasons, I pledge to work in a bipartisan manner in the Illinois General Assembly to explore new reforms and develop innovative solutions that will bring about true tort reform in Illinois.
Illinois Health Information Exchange
I support the development, integration, expansion and meaningful use of electronic health records through Health Information Exchange Technology in Illinois. Electronic health records will help control the cost of Medicaid and health care as a whole by reducing duplicative services while improving healthcare quality, improving patient safety, reducing medical errors, enhancing coordination of patient care among providers, promoting efficiency and enhancing public health and disease surveillance. For those who are concerned that electronic health records are insecure and susceptible to privacy breaches, it is important to understand that the system incorporates state-of-the-art security technology and is infinitely more secure than paper records which are accessible to anyone who pick the lock on a file cabinet.