Illinois State to re-evaluate folks on Medicaid - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Illinois State to re-evaluate folks on Medicaid

By: Jillian Wilson

jwilson@cbs4qc.com

It's a program to help the poor and disabled pay for medical bills, but Illinois state officials say some people are abusing the system.

So they're re–evaluating everyone on Medicaid to make certain the money is going to the right people.

"We are reevaluating everyone who is eligible to make sure that people really are eligible and what we found so far is 95% of the people are, but there are those few bad apples," says Illinois Senator, Mike Jacobs.

Officials found some folks on the Medicaid plan weren't even living in the state anymore.

A bill passed last year to weed out those bad apples and force everyone on it to verify their income and residence.

"There is some fraud and we have to clean up that fraud before we start cutting somebody. We have to make sure the money we are spending is wisely spent," says Senator Jacobs.

Folks in the Quad Cities say they are happy the government is doing something about it.

Terry Sanders is eligible for assistance, but says it's been a struggle trying to get approved.

"I really need it. It's been a 3 year battle and I'm still waiting," says Terry Sanders, of Milan.

Illinois Senator Mike Jacobs says the re–evaluation will make it easier for folks like sanders to get on Medicaid.

"I'll be able to get my medicine and the medical treatment and I need to live a halfway decent life," says Sanders.

State officials want to reassure people if you are eligible, you have nothing to worry about. They're working to make the verification process as painless as possible.