Indiana EMS Faces Shortages As Demand For Services Increases
BATESVILLE, Ind. — It’s not uncommon for the emergency room doctor in a small, rural hospital to decide their patient needs care only available at a more advanced hospital — perhaps in Indianapolis, Cincinnati or Chicago. However, transferring a critical patient is becoming increasingly difficult, according to hospital leaders, government officials and industry advocates. Patients […]
Economists Ask: Do Paperwork Hassles For Doctors Worsen Health Care Disparities?
CHICAGO – Medicaid is a critical part of the U.S. social safety net, with more than 75 million people enrolled nationwide. The federal-state program provides health coverage for people with limited income and resources — and researchers have been trying to identify issues that may prevent the program from operating as intended. A new study […]
Pritzker Signs Bill Expanding Covered Medicaid Services
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents who have health coverage through Medicaid now have access to a broad range of services including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, smoking cessation and dental services. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 2294, which passed unanimously out of both chambers during the spring legislative session. “This legislation that I’m […]
With Black Women At Highest Risk of Maternal Death, Some States Extending Medicaid
When a woman dies during pregnancy or within a year of childbirth in Illinois, that’s considered a maternal death. Karen Tabb Dina reviews cases like this in the state of Illinois. She’s a maternal health researcher at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who serves on a state-level committee that’s trying to figure out what’s […]
House Bill Would Free Up Medicaid Spending For Autism Treatment
SPRINGFIELD – Braxton Lear is 5 years old and tall for his age. He runs – not walks – from his scooter, to the swing set, to the trampoline in his great-aunt’s backyard in Caseyville, about 12 miles east of St. Louis. Braxton’s mom, Shannon Lear, asks him what’s his name, how old is he, […]
Illinois Expands Medicaid Coverage For Mothers
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will now provide Medicaid benefits to eligible mothers for up to 12 months postpartum, a major extension from the previous 60-day limit. Gov. JB Pritzker made the announcement Tuesday after a waiver submitted in 2019 by the state to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was recently approved. “Every mother […]
Lawmakers Propose Cut In Medicaid Rates
SPRINGFIELD – Two Democratic lawmakers this week introduced legislation to reduce state payments to the insurance companies that manage Illinois’ Medicaid program, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic is resulting in excess profits for the insurers. Sen. Dave Koehler, of Peoria, and Rep. Fred Crespo, of Hoffman Estates, say that money saved due to the pandemic […]
Young Cancer Patients On Medicaid At Higher Risk of Death, Say St. Louis Researchers
Children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. can have a very different chance of survival based on the type of health insurance they have,…
News Around Illinois – February 13, 2020
Presidential Candidate Bloomberg Opens Offices In Illinois ROCK ISLAND – Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg plans to open 14 campaign offices in the state, with 80 staff members, according to Will Dubbs, Bloomberg’s Deputy States Director. Between now and the Illinois primary on March 17, campaign workers will focus on recruiting volunteers for phone […]
News Around Illinois – December 2, 2019
Champaign Charity For Hungry, Homeless Faces Deficit CHAMPAIGN — A Champaign charity that aids the hungry and homeless is more than $270,000 in the hole as it enters the holiday season. The News-Gazette reported that Restoration Urban Ministries budgets $650,000 for housing, food and clothing. It offers church services, substance-abuse recovery programs, and self-sufficiency education. […]