Governor Pat Quinn has come out with a proposal he says will rescue Illinois' hemorrhaging Medicaid program. It would cut health care services and raise the state's cigarette tax. Quinn says his proposed dollar-a-pack increase in the state cigarette tax would prevent further cuts in Medicaid. He says without action, Medicaid costs will squeeze spending on education and public safety:
"Having a system that is, out of whack, out of budget, out of balance, will harm other parts of our government in Illinois, and can harm the people of our state."
Quinn was alone at a podium when he called on the General Assembly to approve his package.
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