Illinois Hospitals Pitch Junk Food Tax Over Medicaid Cuts

Tags: Illinois | Illinois Hospital Association | Illinois Medicaid | junk food tax | Medicaid cuts

Instead of cutting a proposed $2 billion from the state Medicaid program, the Illinois Hospital Association has urged the state to raise taxes on junk food, soda and cigarettes to bring in extra revenue, according to a WQAD report.

Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to propose a 14 percent cut to Medicaid spending in the yearly budget proposal. The IHA argued that the higher taxes on junk food and smoking would also improve the health of Illinois residents, which could lead to reduced healthcare utilization later, according to the report.

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Hospitals and physicians said if the Medicaid cuts are approved, it could result in turning away Medicaid patients or the shuttering of some hospitals and facilities.

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