Roskam, McConnaughay call for Medicaid reform; Surges pushes for tax hike repeal

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Dr. Todd Gephart, Medical Director of Sherman Court West and Little Angels, talks about Illinois Medicaid during a press conference with U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam and State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay Thursday at Northwest Health Care Associates in East Dundee. February 10, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: May 9, 2012 10:15AM

EAST DUNDEE — U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam said Illinois’ fiscal condition and convicted governors have made the state a national punchline.

“People get a little bit of a chuckle when they think of Illinois,” the Wheaton Republican said. “It’s ridiculous.”

That’s one reason why he’s throwing his support behind state Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay, Roskam announced during a press conference Friday at Northwest Health Care Associates here.

“Without question, you want to send someone to Springfield who knows what they’re talking about and has the experience to back it up,” Roskam said. “Kane County is being heralded largely because of Karen’s leadership. She has demonstrated how you can do more with less and still meet expectations in a time of great challenge.”

McConnaughay, the Kane County Board chairman, is seeking the Republican nomination for the newly formed 33rd Senate District. Former Gilberts village trustee Cliff Surges also is seeking the GOP nomination. No Democrats have filed for the office.

Roskam is unopposed in the Republican primary for the 6th Congressional District. Four Democrats have filed for the 6th District seat: Leslie Coolidge of Barrington Hills, Geoffrey Petzel of Lake Zurich, Tim Ritter of Cary and Maureen E. Yaes of Barrington.

During Friday’s press conference, Roskam and McConnaughay talked about Illinois’ Medicaid program, which they said accounts for nearly a quarter of all state spending and is projected to expand enrollment by 25 percent over the remainder of the decade. It’s a rate of growth unsustainable in any situation and exacerbated by Illinois’ fiscal condition, they said.

“I want to be a part of the legislative body that gets serious about this once and for all,” McConnaughay said.

She said reform is needed that will result in cost savings, improvement of care and protection of access for the truly needy.

One key to reform, she said, is changing the lagging Medicaid reimbursement schedule.

“That’s at the top of the list,” she said.

Dr. Todd Gephart, medical director for Sherman Court West in Elgin and the Little Angels facility for disabled children in Elgin, also was in attendance at the press conference.

He said timely reimbursements to physicians “ultimately allows for better access to patients who need it.”

“I appreciate them tackling this as a practicing physician,” he said.

Roskam said McConnaughay will be a bright light in Springfield.

“And Springfield needs every bit of brightness it can get right now,” he said.

McConnaughay said she is humbled by Roskam’s support.

“Having his endorsement is quite an honor,” she said.

Surges, meanwhile, issued a press release last week calling for repeal of last year’s state income tax increase.

“These tax increases have driven businesses and jobs out of Illinois and has added to the burden of the residents of our state.” Surges said. “The answer to our financial problems is not more taxes but more taxpayers. We must get our spending under control. Enough is enough. We need a new approach.”