SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Some Illinois hospitals say a proposal to reduce Medicaid spending by $1.5 billion from Gov. Bruce Rauner could lead to significant job and service cuts.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports a group of Chicago-area “safety-net hospitals” told lawmakers Monday that they’re worried they would have to slash services or close their doors as a result of proposed spending cuts. Hospitals are given the safety-net classification if 50 percent or more of their patients rely on Medicaid.

The state’s 44 Catholic-run hospitals also said in a joint statement Monday that they might have to cut more than 3,000 jobs if Rauner’s proposal is approved. The Springfield Bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports the Catholic health group also said programs for the poor and elderly could face cuts.

A message seeking comment was sent to Rauner’s office.

 

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