Illinois’ Medicaid Program is Expensive, but Spending Will Be Tough to Cut

Merriman, David F.; Choi, Francis; Disher, Michael

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/110234 Copy

Description

Title

Illinois’ Medicaid Program is Expensive, but Spending Will Be Tough to Cut

Author(s)

• Merriman, David F.
• Choi, Francis
• Disher, Michael

Issue Date

2021-07-27

Keyword(s)

Medicaid, fiscal, insurance, reduce, budget

Abstract

In recent years, more than one out of every four dollars spent by the state of Illinois went to Medicaid,¹ and more than one out of five state residents got their healthcare through the program. Nationally, Medicaid enrollment has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently at record levels.² As Medicaid has been a contentious fiscal issue for lawmakers over the years, efforts to constrain or cut Medicaid spending were commonplace in previous administrations.³ The program’s spending and enrollment have grown dramatically for decades. This paper provides a brief summary of the reasons for this growth and the potential to reduce Illinois’ Medicaid spending. It also gives an overview of Illinois’ trend in Medicaid spending relative to other states. Potential policy implications for lawmakers involved in the budgetary process are discussed.

Publisher

Institute of Government & Public Affairs

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/110234

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