State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) will be a member of the Illinois Senate’s Special Committee on Medicaid Reform. This committee will examine Illinois’ current Medicaid laws and procedures to find ways to cut Medicaid costs by delivering more efficient services.  The committee will also seek new ways to reduce waste and fraud in the State’s Medicaid program.

“I’m honored that Senate President Cullerton appointed me to this committee,” Koehler said.  “The state should cut unnecessary Medicaid costs to help provide funding for the people who truly need assistance with medical costs and other vital state programs.”

The new six-member committee is completely bipartisan with Democratic and Republican co-chairs. The members of the committee will hear testimony from officials at state agencies like the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, advocacy groups, and nationally recognized experts.

“It’s important that this bipartisan committee bring many voices to the table and put politics aside to find real solutions,” Koehler said. “If we can work together to streamline Medicaid services and root out wasteful spending without jeopardizing federal funding, I have high hopes that we will be able to find a real solution to our budget crisis during the spring session of the General Assembly.”

Senate President Cullerton (D-Chicago) has also created a Special Committee on Workers’ Compensation Reform. Cullerton and Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) will co-chair this committee and try to find a way to reduce Illinois’ workers’ compensation costs.

“I think these two committees are a sign that we may all be able to work together to solve Illinois’ problems,” Koehler said. “I’m happy to be a part of the solution, and I look forward to working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to come up with commonsense Medicaid reforms that will help both the state and the people who participate in the program.”