HR1480 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1480 LRB095 22159 RLC 52456 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois currently owes approximately $500 million in unpaid debts to health care providers who have provided essential medical services to eligible residents of Illinois who are members of the Medicaid health care program; and

WHEREAS, This backlog, at one point during the recently concluded fiscal year, totaled more than $1.5 billion and led to some providers having to wait more than 200 days for payments; and

WHEREAS, An audit, released May 13 by the Illinois Auditor General, has uncovered widespread examples of late State payments affecting many facets of Illinois' health care community; and

WHEREAS, Many hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes have been forced to scale back their operations or even close because of financial pressures associated with these late payments; and

WHEREAS, The expense increases and cost hikes associated with the health care industry do not stop during periods when the State of Illinois is not paying its Medicaid bills; and

WHEREAS, The overall health of Illinois citizens and residents depends on the financial security and stability of health care providers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois declares as its statement of budgetary intent that any proceeds to the State from any sale, long-term lease, or transfer of rights over the Illinois State Lottery, or any other revenue-generating sources created for a significant State capital construction program, be applied first to clearing any unpaid debts owed by the State to providers of health care services under the Medicaid program and other State-funded health care programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That only after these debts have been completely cleared shall the State apply the remaining proceeds from any Illinois State Lottery privatization action to a State capital construction program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.