Peoria, IL... The Medicaid reform process produced extraordinary and long overdue reform, Rep. David R. Leitch (R-Peoria) said today.
Major changes in income verification, program eligibility, and new information technology are highlights of the measure, said Leitch, a lead sponsor of the bill and a member of the Special Medicaid Reform Committee.
"Among the many positives, I was especially pleased the Department of Healthcare and Family Services will now be required to embrace 21st Century technology," Leitch said.
"With the federal government paying 75% to 90%, we must obtain data analytics; for example, this will enable the department to manage at-risk pregnancies to prevent expensive hospital treatment for newborns; the same analytics identify fraud patterns."
"Many of us have been demanding these actions for years; new Healthcare and Family Services director, Julie Hamos, a former House member, seems determined to carry out these changes."
Leitch also praised Auditor General Bill Holland whose scathing audit of Gov. Blagojevich's "All Kids" insurance program provided a factual platform for addressing the incompetence and system dysfunction.
Other reform categories include: End of Year Bills; Care Settings: community based and facility based care; Program Integrity; Provision of Care; Capitated Managed Care; Provider Reimbursements; All Kids Reforms and Agency Reorganization.