Illinois governor Pat Quinn proposes to cut $2.7 billion (19%) from the state's $14 billion Medicaid budget. Three million Illinois residents (almost 1 in 4) depend on Medicaid for access to health care. 

By making these steep cuts, the Governor is essentially cutting off access to health care, hospice care,  and prescription drugs to hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents who have no other options.  He is also cutting home care for the disabled.  In addition he proposes to cut Medicaid’s already low provider reimbursements by another 8%, making it more difficult for all Medicaid patients to find doctors who can afford to treat them.

Like the government in Greece, Quinn is forcing those who depend on Medicaid to suffer the results of the financial crisis caused by Wall Street's casino operators.

Instead of cutting off health care to state residents, Governor Quinn should support Illinois' Medicare for All (single-payer) bill, HB 311.  It would be more efficient, provide universal coverage and cost the state far less than the current system.  Punishing the poor is cruel and unnecessary.  Medicare for All (single-payer) is the right thing to do.