Dive Brief:
- A group of small Illinois hospitals say the situation could be dire if Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget is approved.
- The proposed budget includes more than $1.5 billion in Medicaid cuts, more than $800 million coming from hospitals.
- Leaders of "safety-net hospitals," where more than 50% of patients are covered by Medicaid, say if the budget passes, they'll have to significantly limit their services or close their doors.
Dive Insight:
Maryjane Wurth, president and CEO of the Illinois Hospital Association, said more than 40% of Illinois hospitals are already operating in the red and are still dealing with cuts from a state Medicaid reform bill in 2012. "There will be a number of hospitals that simply will not be able to keep their doors open," Wurth told the Chicago Sun Times.
State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, called the governor's decision to take funding from hospitals, as well as from the Department of Children and Family Services and higher education, "horrible solutions."