News Update

From the Lincolnwood Review, Chicago Sun-Times:

Gov. Quinn signs Medicaid cuts, cigarette tax into law

BY DAVE McKINNEY Springfield bureau chief 

June 14, 2012 8:48AM

Updated: June 14, 2012 4:06PM 

 Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn speaks with reporters in his office at the Illinois State Capitol Friday, June 1, 2012 in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Medicaid recipients in Illinois have begun receiving notices in the mail informing them of the cancellation of their Illinois Cares Rx benefit.

Read the termination letter below:

Attachment: 

Notice Of Termination of Illinois Cares Rx Benefit

Learn more about the candidates endorsed by the Progressive Action Project, the state PAC of Citizen Action/Illinois! 

for more information on the endorsed candidates.

Together we win!

From the Austin Weekly News:

Low-income Chicago residents brace for Medicaid cuts

By A. JABARI JEFFERSON

Medill News Service

June 6, 2012

If Gov. Pat Quinn signs the controversial measure that would cut $1.6 billion from Medicaid, more than 160,000 low-income residents throughout the state stand to feel the impact of reduced health care.

From Community Media Workshop:

In Springfield, no solutions

by Curtis Black

June 3, 2012

Sad to say, nothing they’re doing or talking about in the General Assembly will have a significant impact on the state’s chronic budget crisis.

Not draconian Medicaid cuts, not possible pension cuts or casino expansions.  The legislature is barking up the wrong trees, and doing it over and over.

From mysuburbanlife.com:

Rep. Paul Ryan speaks at luncheon as people protest budget proposal

By Sarah Small, ssmall@mysuburbanlife.com

Suburban Life Publications

May 27, 2012 

From the Chicago Tribune:

By Ray Long

12:17 p.m. CDT, May 24, 2012

SPRINGFIELD --- House lawmakers today pushed forward with deep cuts in the state's health-care system for the poor, a plan that the fate of the state's overall budget rests upon.

Illinois House and Senate Gut Medicaid

Reverse the Elimination of Illinois Cares Rx!

Last Night, the Illinois House and Senate voted to eliminate Illinois Cares Rx, as a part of $1.6 billion of deep cuts to dozens of critical Medicaid programs. Click here to read the WUIS story featuring Citizen Action's own William McNary.

From The Register-Mail, Galesburg.com:

May 16, 2012

Outraged seniors dump ‘survival kits’ at Quinn’s door

Protesters denounce cuts to programs

Dear Friends,

On April 12th of 2012, Governor Cuomo of New York State signed an Executive Order establishing a health exchange.  Now is the time for Governor Quinn to do the same for Illinois.

We are collecting 2,000 signatures over the next 2 weeks.  Pass this petition to your friends and neighbors.  We need to show our support for healthcare.

Tell Governor Quinn to establish a health exchange today!

The right wing is attacking us every day.  It’s time to stand up again and fight for Healthcare for America NOW!

Sign the petition today - Call on Governor Quinn to issue an Executive Order to establish a health exchange.

A key provision in the Affordable Cate Act is the creation of health benefits exchanges in each state by 2014. These Exchanges will operate as a marketplace for individuals and small businesses to compare and buy quality and affordable health insurance.

The creation of an Exchange for over 1 million Illinoisans is no small task. The fastest way to get this done is through an Executive Order.

Help over a million Illinoisans without affordable health care today. Sign our petition calling on Governor Quinn to establish a health exchange today!

Sincerely,

Lynda DeLaforgue

Citizen Action/Illinois

Tell Governor Quinn: We need a health exchange now!