Hospital assessment will put more money into healthcare

CHICAGO - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich this week signed into law the 2009 Hospital Assessment which, once approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will bring millions of dollars in federal matching funds to Illinois hospitals - particularly those with high volumes of Medicaid patients. Senate Bill 2857 had overwhelming support in both the House (113-0-1) and the Senate (54-0-1). State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie and State Sen. Jeffrey Schoen-berg sponsored the bill. “Healthcare is a top priority in Illinois. This bill facilitates that process, secures the matching federal dollars and gets the money where it needs to go to ensure everyone gets the quality healthcare they deserve,” Gov-ernor Blagojevich said. Under thi