RIP Illinois Medicaid - Due to Severe Cuts - Mock funeral held | May 24, 2012

Mock funeral held to protest proposed Medicaid cuts

By JUSTIN GLAWE Of the Journal Star

PEORIA — A group of about 20 people conducted a "funeral" for programs and services they say will die if the $2.7 billion in cuts to Medicaid proposed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn are made.

They took aim, specifically, at what they called an unfair flat income tax, as well as tax breaks given to corporations like Caterpillar Inc., which earned a record $1.55 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011.

"These cuts would not be required if Illinois' tax structure were more fair," said Mari Stewart, a 32-year-old volunteer for the Service Employees International Union. "We have corporations and the wealthy reaping the benefits of the tax breaks, while the poor, seniors and the disabled are asked to make the sacrifices."

To make up that $2.7 billion, the income tax rate on those earning $100,001 or more would have to be raised to 6.8 percent from 5 percent. That percentage increase is based on the 2010 net income of those earners, provided by figures from the Illinois Department of Revenue. The state income tax was increased from 3 percent to 5 percent - a 66 percent increase - in 2011.

The group of stakeholders - made up of several people with disabilities, child and health care workers and members of the families they serve - gathered outside the Department of Human Services, 2301 NE Adams St., on Wednesday afternoon to voice their concerns.

Linda Davies, a child care provider, would lose her sole source of income if such cuts are made. Thousands of others like her would face similar situations, she said, and she has a response to those who think she's just looking out for her own best interest.

"Isn't everybody?" she asked. "We don't want to see wealthy people and companies done wrong. We want them to be able to live and do what they want to do. We just ask that we be able to do the same. We're looking out for the best interest of everybody."

Davies charges $14 a day per child for her care. That's compared to what she says is an average of about $45 per day per child at most day care facilities. She says the mothers of the six children she cares for, all single-parent homes, likely would have to quit their minimum wage jobs to take care of their children.

"We don't want food stamps, we want to work and take care of ourselves," Davies said. "Without this assistance, these moms wouldn't be able to afford child care."

Davies says it's time for the state of Illinois to address the budget shortfall, and its effects, in a different manner.

"We keep cutting from the bottom. Let's cut from the top for a change."

@ http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1347547536/Protest-stages-mock-funeral-for-proposed-cuts-to-programs-and-services