Cook County lands $100 million federal waiver

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Cook County lands $100 million federal waiver

October 29, 2012

Cook County hit a $100 million jackpot over the weekend.

In a little noticed but crucial decision announced Friday night, the federal government signed off on a request by county board President Toni Preckwinkle to enroll 114,000 low-income people a year early in the Medicaid program.

For the county, the decision is worth as much as $100 million a year, since its network of hospitals and health clinics already is serving most of the patients free of charge. The tab now will be picked up by federal taxpayers under a provision of Obamacare, rather than by Cook County taxpayers alone.

"I am so pleased to see this result after many months of hard work," Ms. Preckwinkle said in a statement. Winning approval of the waiver plan first in Springfield and then in Washington was "the top legislative priority of my administration," she added.

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