Local Hospitals Speak Out Against Proposed Medicaid Cuts
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: May 7, 2012
PEORIA-The debate over proposed cuts to Medicaid have heated up in the river city.
Governor Quinn is making his final push to gain support for billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts.
But local health care providers are taking a stand.
Peoria area hospitals say the governor's wish to slash nearly $3 billion in medicaid
could seriously hurt operations.
"We're all in agreement with our position. It just does not seem to make sense at this time," said Todd Baker, VP of strategy and business development at Proctor Hospital.
Monday, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) acting director David Vaught told Peoria business leaders the proposal would force health care providers to become more sustainable.
"The point of Medicaid restructuring is to preserve that system and make it stronger," Vaught said.
But Methodist Medical Center estimates it would lose nearly $3 million, annually. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center says it would lose than $12 million. Both hospitals think the plan doesn't make sense when the state already owes millions in back payments.
"It makes the conversation of a rate cut and, or organizations around a rate cut very difficult, because we're not being paid at all," said Tara Canty, VP of government relations at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.
"The idea is not to do this on top of the late payments. The idea is to to this instead of the late payments. So we can solve the payment problem. It's the late payment probably that's going to sink the system," said Vaught.
Both sides agree the proposals would limit resources. But hospitals say that shouldn't be an option.
"We want the state to really be cognizant of the cuts they are proposing to make. Looking at all different and taking more of a longer term view of Medicaid programs, instead of just straight across the board Medicaid budget cuts," said Rob Quin with Methodist Medical Center.
"We're trying to keep the system solid and sustainable. But you may get a little less for a while," said Vaught.
Vaught says the state cannot move forward unless Medicaid is resolved. A final proposal should be prepared by the end of the month.
The state estimates if the current medicaid system stays in place, the state will owe nearly $21 billion in unpaid bills by 2017.
Governor Quinn is making his final push to gain support for billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts.
But local health care providers are taking a stand.
Peoria area hospitals say the governor's wish to slash nearly $3 billion in medicaid
could seriously hurt operations.
"We're all in agreement with our position. It just does not seem to make sense at this time," said Todd Baker, VP of strategy and business development at Proctor Hospital.
Monday, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) acting director David Vaught told Peoria business leaders the proposal would force health care providers to become more sustainable.
"The point of Medicaid restructuring is to preserve that system and make it stronger," Vaught said.
But Methodist Medical Center estimates it would lose nearly $3 million, annually. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center says it would lose than $12 million. Both hospitals think the plan doesn't make sense when the state already owes millions in back payments.
"It makes the conversation of a rate cut and, or organizations around a rate cut very difficult, because we're not being paid at all," said Tara Canty, VP of government relations at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.
"The idea is not to do this on top of the late payments. The idea is to to this instead of the late payments. So we can solve the payment problem. It's the late payment probably that's going to sink the system," said Vaught.
Both sides agree the proposals would limit resources. But hospitals say that shouldn't be an option.
"We want the state to really be cognizant of the cuts they are proposing to make. Looking at all different and taking more of a longer term view of Medicaid programs, instead of just straight across the board Medicaid budget cuts," said Rob Quin with Methodist Medical Center.
"We're trying to keep the system solid and sustainable. But you may get a little less for a while," said Vaught.
Vaught says the state cannot move forward unless Medicaid is resolved. A final proposal should be prepared by the end of the month.
The state estimates if the current medicaid system stays in place, the state will owe nearly $21 billion in unpaid bills by 2017.
Comments
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beatricepeyton b.
May 8, 2012 at 6:24 am
My dad told me about "Penny Health" or something which helped him to find a lower priced health insurance (with ALMOST similar benefits) he is recommending this to me. Any suggestion? What do you think of them?
beatricepeyton b.
May 8, 2012 at 6:24 am
