By AP/KWMU
Springfield, IL – Illinois officials say the state has $1.7 billion in unpaid bills, the biggest backlog ever. It means doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and nursing homes are waiting on reimbursements for taking care of poor patients on Medicaid. Local governments and social services agencies also are waiting.
The state borrowed a billion dollars this spring to help reduce a backlog then, but a spokeswoman says it has steadily climbed since that time because there isn't as much tax money coming into the state treasury to pay the bills.