Carla K. Johnson

• Illinois opens grant process for health guides

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  May 7, 2013

  The race is on in Illinois for $28 million in grants to help consumers learn how to shop for health insurance.

• Illinois opens grant process for health guides

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  May 7, 2013

  The race is on in Illinois for $28 million in grants to help consumers learn how to shop for health insurance.

• Health law could overwhelm addiction services

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  April 18, 2013

  In a major break with the past, 3 million to 5 million people with drug and alcohol problems — from homeless drug addicts to working moms who drink too much — will soon become eligible for insurance coverage under the new health care overhaul.

• Hospitals, insurers back Illinois Medicaid expansion

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  December 26, 2012

  Illinois lawmakers soon will face two critical decisions over how to fully carry out President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

• Illinois moves ahead on health insurance exchange

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  November 6, 2012

  Illinois officials are reviewing five bids to build the state's health insurance exchange — a required component of the federal health care overhaul that Gov. Pat Quinn intends to implement regardless of who wins the presidency on Election Day.

• Illinois to decide on essential health benefits

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  September 10, 2012

  Gov. Pat Quinn has less than a month to choose which benefits will be required in basic health insurance plans sold to individuals and small businesses in Illinois under the federal health care law, an important decision that will determine the cost of future premiums and how broad coverage will...

• Illinois to decide on essential health benefits

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  September 7, 2012

  Gov. Pat Quinn has less than a month to choose which benefits will be required in basic health insurance plans sold to individuals and small businesses in Illinois under the federal health care law, an important decision that will determine the cost of future premiums and how broad coverage will...

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  Anti-Medicaid states claim poor make too much

  By Carla K. Johnson, Kelli Kennedy  |  August 14, 2012

  Sandra Pico is poor, but not poor enough. She makes about $15,000 a year, supporting her daughter and unemployed husband. She thought she'd be able to get health insurance after the Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama's health care law. Then she heard that her own governor won't agree to...

• Illinois not ready for 'Obamacare' target

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  June 27, 2012

  An Illinois Democrat who has led work on implementing a key part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul now says the state will need to partner with the federal government for its insurance exchange.

• Illinois Medicaid bill makes nearly $1.4B in cuts

  By Carla K. Johnson  |  May 22, 2012

  Illinois moved closer to drastic Medicaid cuts Monday with proposed legislation that could excise nearly $1.4 billion from the state's program by shrinking benefits, such as regular adult dental care, and cutting payments to most hospitals and nursing homes.