Tagged: Medicaid

Illinois smokers could soon see a huge increase in the cost of a pack of cigarettes. The Illinois House today approved a plan to more than double the tax on cigarettes, to $1.98 a pack. Other tobacco products would see a similar increase.

The General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved steep cuts to Medicaid, Illinois' system of health care for the poor.   Backers of the cuts say they are a long-overdue correction for a program that has grown out of control.

Rockford-based Swedish American Health System has announced layoffs and job position eliminations to stay in the black,  citing potential reductions to reimbursement rates under the state's Medicaid program.