In 11th hour, Blagojevich increased funds for doctors treating poor children

On his last day in office, Rod Blagojevich moved to increase payments to Illinois doctors' caring for sick children, which is the subject of criminal allegations against the former governor. In a memo, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Barry Maram, who oversees the state Medicaid insurance program for the poor, increased reimbursement to pediatric specialists who provide services that include "neonatal and pediatric critical care services," according to the memo dated Jan. 29. On that day, the Illinois Senate removed Blagojevich from office.