A Poverty-Fighting Agenda for the New President and Congress
The election has infused our community with new energy. While we face a severe economic downturn an other daunting challenges, new leadership at the federal level offers opportunities for lasting change. At this time of renewed promise, informed by our relationships with low-income people, community-based organizations, legal aid lawyers, and direct service providers, the November-December 2008 special issue of Clearinghouse Review offers twelve ways that action by incoming President Barack Obama and the 111th Congress can advance an effective and meaningful antipoverty agenda.

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Support the Shriver Center in the Fight Against Poverty
Congratulations to President-elect Obama. Like Sargent Shriver and the Shriver Center, he understands the complex factors that combine to suppress opportunity. Now, more than ever, the Shriver Center’s efforts and that of the government will drive toward a common goal, providing the Shriver Center with an unprecedented opportunity if you and people like you remain our steadfast supporters. Please make a gift today.

How does Illinois spell relief? F-M-A-P

By Andrea Kovach, Staff Attorney

Illinois is currently drowning in back debt owed to providers of health care services under the Medicaid program (doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and others) for their past provision of care to the more than two million Illinoisans currently enrolled in the Medicaid program.  The current Medicaid bill backlog of over $4.5 billion dollars is unprecedented and is expected to balloon to more than $5 billion by March.  As with every state in the Medicaid program, Illinois’ Medicaid program is jointly financed by the federal and state governments, and before Illinois can receive federal Medicaid dollars it must first reimburse health care providers for their earlier provision of care.  The Medicaid system works efficiently when Illinois has the funds to pay these bills.

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