Audit fuels criticism of Illinois governor on healthcare programs

Illinois lawmakers are using an audit's findings to blast Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration for trying to expand state-subsidized healthcare when the current Illinois Medicaid program is racking up deficits and is taking months to pay doctors who care for the poor and elderly. The report found it is taking the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services an average of 77 days to pay doctors and pharmacists who are not associated with large hospitals. Representatives from the state healthcare department blamed the slower payments on Illinois lawmakers, who trimmed $250 million from the governor's healthcare budget in 2007.