Illinois Democrats are quietly discussing expanding Medicaid spending at the same time Gov. Pat Quinn is laying out a doomsday budget.
Lawmakers are considering restoring dental care and podiatry services that were eliminated in 2012 as a way to save $1.6 billion in Medicaid spending.
State Rep. Greg Harris says restoring cuts depends on whether there’s money to pay for it. But he says without the services, people go to emergency rooms, where treatment is more expensive.