The state refuses to pay it's Medicaid bills on time or in sufficient amounts to cover costs so more and more doctors on refusing to see Medicaid patients.  The solutions to this problem is easy, re-prioritize spending (cut spending in another area), or reform the system.  But, no Illinois won't do that.  Instead, they will sue the victim.

"In a case that some experts say adds a new twist to physicians' antitrust fears, the Illinois attorney general is suing two private medical clinics for allegedly refusing to take new Medicaid patients in order to force an increase in reimbursement rates.

The antitrust lawsuit filed by Attorney General Lisa Madigan in June accuses the Carle Clinic Assn. and Christie Clinic, both in Champaign County, Ill., of collectively boycotting new Medicaid patients by adopting identical policies in 2003. The two groups employ more than 90% of physicians in the area."

Yes, let's further punish the doctors.  Maybe even put them out of business.  That way it won't just be Medicaid patients holding the bag, it will be everyone else as well.

hat tip:  Capitol Fax