Chicago, IL. ---- Congressman Bobby L. Rush lauded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) approval of the 2009 Hospital Assessment.  This ruling means over $3.8 billion to Illinois over five years and an overdue boost of funds to hospitals like Holy Cross, St. Bernard, Jackson Park Hospital and Cook County’s Stroger Hospital.

Rush said, “Our state and its residents are in a financial crisis—at least now our hospitals can keep the doors of healing, hope and health open.  We all know that our hospitals have been working miracles saving the lives of patients, maintaining staff, and protecting our most vulnerable with little to no resources.  The 2009 Hospital Assessment Plan means hospitals will now receive millions of additional dollars in federal matching funds.”

Under this five-year agreement, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will distribute an estimated annual amount of over $1.5 billion in Medicaid payments to hospitals. The federal government matches these payments and sends Illinois over $775 million in matching funds. The state then collects $900 million in taxes from hospitals to help support this spending. Through this process, hospitals gain $640 million in increased funding, and $130 million is made available for critical services delivered by other Medicaid providers.

HFS will distribute the money to hospitals during the course of the year through monthly payments, greatly assisting these providers in difficult economic times.  The amount of money a hospital receives is based on the various services it provides to Medicaid patients.
“I am particularly pleased for Holy Cross Hospital,” said Rush.  “I’ve been working hands-on with them to find ways to keep their doors open, and this infusion of resources will make a world of difference to the hospital, the patients, the staff and our community.”