Keeping_VVG people_NN healthier_JJR Your_APPGE July_NPM1 5_MC editorial_NN1 "_" Mending_VVG Medicaid_NP1 "_" challenged_VVD the_AT state_NN1 of_IO Illinois_NP1 to_TO improve_VVI this_DD1 vital_JJ program_NN1 's_GE efficiency_NN1 and_CC effectiveness_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 want_VV0 your_APPGE readers_NN2 to_TO know_VVI that_CST we_PPIS2 are_VBR meeting_VVG that_DD1 challenge_NN1 ,_, finding_VVG new_JJ ways_NN2 to_TO save_VVI money_NN1 and_CC cut_NN1 costs_VVZ while_CS continuing_VVG to_TO provide_VVI decent_JJ health_NN1 care_NN1 to_II more_DAR than_CSN 2_MC million_NNO children_NN2 and_CC adults_NN2 in_II Illinois_NP1 ._. 
Through_II the_AT Medicaid_JJ program_NN1 ,_, Illinois_NP1 offers_VVZ health_NN1 coverage_NN1 to_II families_NN2 with_IW very_RG low_JJ incomes_NN2 and_CC people_NN with_IW significant_JJ disabilities_NN2 ,_, including_II mental_JJ illness_NN1 ._. 
To_TO help_VVI us_PPIO2 meet_VVI our_APPGE responsibilities_NN2 to_II those_DD2 in_II need_NN1 ,_, the_AT federal_JJ government_NN1 this_DD1 year_NNT1 will_VM provide_VVI about_RG $9.2_NNU billion_NNO in_II matching_JJ funds_NN2 --_JJ dollars_NNU2 that_DD1 help_NN1 support_NN1 thousands_NNO2 of_IO health_NN1 care_NN1 jobs_NN2 throughout_II Illinois_NP1 ._. 
Without_IW Medicaid_NP1 ,_, doctors_NN2 ,_, hospitals_NN2 and_CC nursing_JJ homes_NN2 that_CST provide_VV0 care_NN1 to_II the_AT poor_JJ and_CC uninsured_JJ would_VM face_VVI even_RR greater_JJR uncompensated_JJ costs_NN2 ,_, forcing_VVG private_JJ health-insurance_JJ premiums_NN2 even_RR higher_JJR and_CC resulting_VVG in_II layoffs_NN2 of_IO doctors_NN2 ,_, nurses_NN2 and_CC other_JJ health_NN1 care_NN1 providers_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA your_APPGE editorial_NN1 noted_VVD ,_, Gov_NN1 ._. 
Pat_NP1 Quinn_NP1 recently_RR signed_VVN into_II law_NN1 three_MC bills_NN2 to_TO help_VVI fight_NN1 fraud_NN1 and_CC bring_VVI more_DAR transparency_NN1 to_II Medicaid_NP1 spending_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 also_RR have_VH0 other_JJ major_JJ reforms_NN2 already_RR under_RR21 way_RR22 ,_, including_VVG :_: Top-to-bottom_JJ review_NN1 to_TO tighten_VVI eligibility_NN1 and_CC enrollment_NN1 procedures_NN2 ,_, to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ everyone_PN1 who_PNQS receives_VVZ Medicaid_JJ services_NN2 meets_VVZ all_DB state_VV0 and_CC federal_JJ eligibility_NN1 requirements_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 pay-for-performance_JJ initiative_NN1 for_IF Medicaid_JJ providers_NN2 ,_, so_RR reimbursement_NN1 will_VM reflect_VVI the_AT quality_NN1 of_IO care_NN1 they_PPHS2 provide_VV0 ._. 
Transitioning_VVG more_DAR people_NN who_PNQS need_VV0 long-term_JJ nursing_JJ care_NN1 from_II institutions_NN2 to_II less_RGR costly_JJ home-_NN1 and_CC community-based_JJ programs_NN2 ,_, as_CSA recommended_VVN by_II Quinn_NP1 's_GE Taxpayer_NN1 Action_NN1 Board_NN1 ._. 
Expanded_JJ Medicaid_NP1 managed_VVD care_NN1 for_IF families_NN2 in_II Chicago_NP1 and_CC Cook_NP1 County_NN1 ._. 
An_AT1 innovative_JJ managed-care_JJ pilot_NN1 program_NN1 for_IF seniors_NN2 and_CC disabled_JJ adults_NN2 in_II the_AT collar_NN1 counties_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 also_RR are_VBR working_VVG statewide_RR to_TO better_RRR coordinate_VVI all_DB Medicaid_JJ health_NN1 care_NN1 services_NN2 --_JJ saving_NN1 money_NN1 by_II preventing_VVG unnecessary_JJ hospitalizations_NN2 ,_, emergency-room_JJ visits_NN2 and_CC tests_NN2 that_CST cost_VV0 money_NN1 without_IW improving_JJ health_NN1 ._. 
In_II this_DD1 era_NN1 of_IO national_JJ health_NN1 care_NN1 reform_NN1 ,_, our_APPGE goal_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO prove_VVI that_CST Illinois_NP1 '_GE Medicaid_JJ program_NN1 can_VM cut_VVI costs_NN2 while_CS providing_VVG higher-quality_JJ care_NN1 and_CC keeping_VVG people_NN healthier_JJR ._. 
We_PPIS2 already_RR have_VH0 taken_VVN major_JJ steps_NN2 toward_II this_DD1 goal_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 believe_VV0 we_PPIS2 will_VM succeed_VVI ._. 
The_AT Chicago_NP1 Tribune_NN1 's_GE recent_JJ editorial_NN1 (_( "_" A_ZZ1 disaster_NN1 delayed_VVD ,_, "_" Editorial_NN1 ,_, July_NPM1 9_MC )_) correctly_RR sounds_VVZ the_AT alarm_NN1 about_II the_AT coming_VVG higher_JJR medical-malpractice_NN1 premiums_NN2 in_II Illinois_NP1 as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO the_AT Illinois_NP1 Supreme_JJ Court_NN1 's_GE decision_NN1 to_TO strike_VVI down_RP the_AT state_NN1 's_GE medical-malpractice_JJ reform_NN1 law_NN1 ._. 
Premiums_NN2 are_VBR stabilized_VVN right_RR now_RT ,_, but_CCB as_CSA the_AT editorial_JJ notes_NN2 ,_, "_" it_PPH1 's_VBZ the_AT calm_NN1 before_II the_AT storm_NN1 ._. "_" 
Medical-malpractice_JJ premiums_NN2 will_VM likely_RR increase_VVI in_II31 response_II32 to_II33 more_DAR lawsuits_NN2 and_CC higher_JJR judgments_NN2 and_CC settlements_NN2 ._. 
Unfortunately_RR a_AT1 legislative_JJ solution_NN1 seems_VVZ out_II21 of_II22 reach_NN1 for_IF the_AT foreseeable_JJ future_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB this_DD1 does_VDZ not_XX mean_VVI we_PPIS2 have_VH0 to_TO let_VVI the_AT four_MC justices_NN2 who_PNQS voted_VVD to_TO strike_VVI down_RP the_AT medical-malpractice_JJ law_NN1 have_VH0 the_AT last_MD word_NN1 ._. 
Three_MC of_IO the_AT four_MC justices_NN2 who_PNQS voted_VVD to_TO strike_VVI down_RP the_AT medical-malpractice_JJ reform_NN1 law_NN1 are_VBR up_RP for_IF retention_NN1 this_DD1 November_NPM1 ._. 
Good_JJ judges_NN2 do_VD0 matter_VVI ._. 
A_AT1 judge_NN1 has_VHZ the_AT power_NN1 to_II on_II the_AT one_MC1 hand_NN1 provide_VV0 protection_NN1 for_IF those_DD2 who_PNQS have_VH0 been_VBN harmed_VVN and_CC on_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 dispose_VV0 of_IO frivolous_JJ lawsuits_NN2 that_CST clog_VV0 our_APPGE courts_NN2 ._. 
Good_JJ judges_NN2 strive_VV0 to_TO wield_VVI this_DD1 power_NN1 wisely_RR ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ why_RRQ we_PPIS2 as_II citizens_NN2 need_VV0 to_TO pay_VVI attention_NN1 to_II the_AT individuals_NN2 we_PPIS2 elect_VV0 to_TO serve_VVI on_II the_AT bench_NN1 ._. 
The_AT high-profile_JJ races_NN2 for_IF governor_NN1 and_CC the_AT U.S._NP1 Senate_NN1 will_VM dominate_VVI the_AT news_NN1 cycle_NN1 ,_, but_CCB we_PPIS2 as_II a_AT1 citizens_NN2 have_VH0 the_AT right_NN1 and_CC the_AT responsibility_NN1 to_TO educate_VVI ourselves_PPX2 about_II the_AT judicial_JJ candidates_NN2 on_II our_APPGE ballots_NN2 ._. 
The_AT great_JJ ship_NN1 called_VVN America_NP1 is_VBZ sinking_VVG ._. 
Not_XX because_CS greedy_JJ mortgage_NN1 lenders_NN2 allowed_VVD people_NN to_TO buy_VVI homes_NN2 they_PPHS2 could_VM not_XX possibly_RR afford_VVI ,_, which_DDQ caused_VVD the_AT ship_NN1 to_TO hit_VVI an_AT1 iceberg_NN1 and_CC break_VVI a_AT1 hole_NN1 into_II its_APPGE side_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX because_CS illegal_JJ immigrants_NN2 are_VBR not_XX allowed_VVN to_TO get_VVI into_II a_AT1 lifeboat_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX because_CS elected_JJ politicians_NN2 used_JJ money_NN1 ,_, graft_NN1 and_CC greed_NN1 to_TO be_VBI able_JK to_TO grab_VVI all_DB the_AT lifesaver_NN1 vests_NN2 ._. 
The_AT ship_NN1 is_VBZ angling_VVG down_RP on_II one_MC1 side_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ sinking_VVG lower_JJR by_II the_AT minute_NNT1 ,_, because_CS that_DD1 side_NN1 is_VBZ loaded_VVN with_IW guns_NN2 ._. 
Many_DA2 requirements_NN2 were_VBDR issued_VVN to_II those_DD2 bringing_VVG guns_NN2 aboard_RL ._. 
All_DB handguns_NN2 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI registered_VVN with_IW the_AT police_NN2 department_NN1 ._. 
Fingerprints_NN2 and_CC background_NN1 checks_NN2 were_VBDR to_TO take_VVI place_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD to_TO get_VVI an_AT1 owner_NN1 's_GE ID_NN1 card_NN1 ,_, submit_VV0 two_MC pictures_NN2 taken_VVN in_II the_AT last_MD 30_MC days_NNT2 ,_, etc_RA ._. 
Is_VBZ anybody_PN1 laughing_VVG like_II I_MC1 am_RA ?_? 
The_AT real_JJ facts_NN2 of_IO the_AT matter_NN1 are_VBR that_DD1 ,_, if_CS those_DD2 who_PNQS want_VV0 guns_NN2 for_IF murder_NN1 ,_, robberies_NN2 ,_, revenge_NN1 or_CC for_IF gangs_NN2 ,_, etc._RA ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT way_NN1 such_DA culprits_NN2 are_VBR going_VVGK to_TO bother_VVI with_IW all_DB those_DD2 and_CC many_DA2 more_DAR issued_VVN requirements_NN2 ._. 
To_II me_PPIO1 ,_, the_AT real_JJ question_NN1 remains_VVZ :_: When_RRQ is_VBZ the_AT Supreme_JJ Court_NN1 going_VVGK to_TO join_VVI the_AT 21st_MD century_NNT1 ?_? 
If_CS it_PPH1 thinks_VVZ that_CST Americans_NN2 must_VM have_VHI the_AT right_NN1 to_TO own_VVI guns_NN2 to_TO protect_VVI themselves_PPX2 ,_, then_RT "_" civilization_NN1 "_" as_CSA we_PPIS2 thought_VVD we_PPIS2 knew_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, does_VDZ not_XX exist_VVI ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ regarding_VVG columnist_NN1 Charles_NP1 Krauthammer_NP1 's_GE "_" Obama_NP1 is_VBZ modest_JJ about_II U.S._NP1 ,_, not_XX himself_PPX1 "_" (_( Commentary_NN1 ,_, July_NPM1 12_MC )_) ._. 
While_CS Krauthammer_NP1 touts_NN2 American_JJ exceptionalism_NN1 ,_, history_NN1 has_VHZ proved_VVN that_CST similar_JJ views_NN2 have_VH0 led_VVN to_TO triumph_VVI and_CC tragedy_NN1 ._. 
By_II challenging_VVG America_NP1 ,_, President_NNB John_NP1 F._NP1 Kennedy_NP1 did_VDD spearhead_VVI astronauts_NN2 toward_II the_AT moon_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 also_RR stated_VVN in_II his_APPGE grandiose_JJ inaugural_JJ address_NN1 that_CST America_NP1 would_VM "_" pay_VV0 any_DD price_NN1 ,_, bear_VV0 any_DD burden_NN1 ..._... to_TO assure_VVI the_AT survival_NN1 and_CC the_AT success_NN1 of_IO liberty_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT war_NN1 in_II Vietnam_NP1 ultimately_RR proved_VVN that_CST some_DD burdens_NN2 were_VBDR too_RG difficult_JJ to_TO manage_VVI and_CC some_DD prices_NN2 too_RG high_JJ to_TO pay_VVI ._. 
Likewise_RR President_NNB Lyndon_NP1 B._NP1 Johnson_NP1 wanted_VVD to_TO herald_NN1 a_AT1 Great_JJ Society_NN1 that_CST would_VM rival_VVI and_CC surpass_VVI the_AT New_JJ Deal_NN1 ,_, cementing_VVG his_APPGE historical_JJ legacy_NN1 as_II the_AT greatest_JJT reform_NN1 president_NN1 in_II American_JJ history_NN1 ._. 
Unfortunately_RR ,_, fighting_VVG a_AT1 war_NN1 in_II Southeast_ND1 Asia_NP1 ,_, while_CS promoting_VVG an_AT1 expensive_JJ program_NN1 to_TO end_VVI poverty_NN1 in_II America_NP1 ,_, proved_VVD to_TO be_VBI an_AT1 illusion_NN1 ._. 
American_JJ presidents_NN2 have_VH0 an_AT1 obligation_NN1 to_TO inspire_VVI Americans_NN2 ,_, to_TO bring_VVI out_RP as_CSA Abraham_NP1 Lincoln_NP1 said_VVD "_" the_AT better_JJR angels_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE nature_NN1 ._. "_" 
However_RR ,_, presidents_NN2 ,_, when_CS acting_VVG as_CSA motivators-in-chief_NN2 ,_, must_VM also_RR temper_VVI their_APPGE words_NN2 ,_, recognizing_VVG the_AT limits_NN2 of_IO American_JJ power_NN1 and_CC influence_VV0 by_II advancing_JJ programs_NN2 and_CC policies_NN2 that_CST are_VBR practical_JJ ._. 
