Statement of Peter E. Eupierre, M.D.
President, Illinois State Medical Society
Re: Illinois Medicaid Reimbursements
August 22, 2006
Chicago – State Medicaid officials’ announcement that the bills of doctors caring for Medicaid patients will be paid within 60 days is a much-needed step in the right direction. However, there is still work to be done. We believe this step should be the first in a series of urgently-needed reforms. Physicians have long shown their commitment to caring for Medicaid patients as well as the uninsured. State government must also demonstrate its commitment to funding the care it promises.
We welcome the additional funding, and hope this signals the start of more serious attention by state officials to Medicaid’s more fundamental problems. Too many doctors have routinely endured extended delays impacting their ability to treat patients. Waiting to be reimbursed for medical care given 60 days earlier is still too long in our view, even though it’s a marked improvement on past Medicaid practice. And with an ambitious All Kids expansion underway, Medicaid administrators must continue to find ways to educate patients about this new program and the importance of establishing an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician.
On behalf of our 14,000 members statewide, the Illinois State Medical Society stands ready to work with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services officials and the General Assembly to address the broad scope of issues impacting the care and treatment of our state’s most vulnerable patients.
ISMS is a professional membership association representing over 14,000 physicians practicing in all specialties statewide. Dr. Eupierre is an internal medicine specialist practicing in Melrose Park, Illinois.
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