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Independent study confirms merits of
Medicaid managed care An
independent study released last week strongly supports a proposal by
Senate Republican lawmakers that could save the state of Illinois
millions of dollars each year and improve the quality of care for
patients by implementing a greater degree of managed care principles
in Medicaid.
The independent study released last
week by the Lewin Group, a leading independent health care
consultant, suggests managed care reforms could save taxpayers
approximately $1.5 billion in Medicaid costs over a five-year
period.
The study acknowledges that Illinois
"stands in stark contrast to virtually all other large states in the
modest degree to which its Medicaid program has adopted managed care
techniques." The report provides supporting evidence that throughout
the country states have adopted successful managed care models,
achieving their goals of decreased medical costs, better access to
services and increased quality of care. Furthermore, the study
concludes that an exceptional opportunity exists for Illinois to
both improve the coverage its Medicaid beneficiaries receive and to
achieve large-scale savings through implementing the recommendations
in this study. The report also noted that for states considering
implementing or expanding managed care models, this may be the best
time to move forward.
The General Assembly created a
Medicaid Managed Care Task Force and commissioned an independent
study after Senate Republicans raised the issue of managed care
during last year's budget negotiations. The task force and Lewin
Group report became a linchpin for Senate Republicans to support the
final budget.
Latest on "med mal" reform
On May 12, supporters of
House Bill 4074 -- the medical liability reform bill in the
House -- defeated hostile amendments filed by reform opponents, but
by the end of the day, reform opponents had successfully used
parliamentary maneuvers to at least temporarily keep the measure
from advancing to a final vote.
In the Senate, a watered-down
version of reforms was filed as an amendment to
Senate Bill 276. The Senate proposal would offer caps on
noneconomic damages -- but at $500,000 for physicians and $1 million
for hospitals. The House measure contains caps of $250,000 and
$500,000. In addition, the Senate proposal does not contain some of
the protections included in the House measure, including a provision
that allows the purchase of annuities to pay out damages over time
and protections that would keep hospitals from being held liable for
actions of people who are not employees of the hospital.
[to top of second column in this article] |
 Senate approves bill blocking "spam"
on state e-mail
Saving state employees time and
saving taxpayers money is the aim of legislation approved May 11 by
the Senate.
House Bill 1071 requires electronic mail service (e-mail)
provided under contract to the state of Illinois to be provided
reasonably free of unsolicited advertisements (or "spam").
No such restriction currently exists
for e-mail services procured by the state. Currently, the Illinois
Century Network, within the Department of Central Management
Services, is the entity that provides Internet service to state
agencies. The ICN obtains Internet service from other vendors, who
do not necessarily use "spam" filters.
Legislation addresses sporting event
violence
Players or fans who become violent
during sporting events at indoor facilities will face felony
penalties for assault or battery, under legislation approved by the
General Assembly.
House Bill 1432 is a response to the melee that occurred at the
Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons NBA basketball game on Nov. 19, 2004.
After being hit by a cup of beer while lying on the scorer's table
following a shoving match with some Pistons' players, Indiana Pacer
Ron Artest went into the stand and attacked a fan. A few other
players from the Pacers team also went into the stands and attacked
fans.
House Bill 1432 addresses violence
at sporting events at indoor facilities. Illinois statutes already
call for penalties for violence at sporting events at outdoor
venues.
[From
Sen. Bill Brady]
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