Illinois Medicaid inspector general investigating Planned Parenthood fees

Crain's Chicago Business has is reporting that Illinois' Medicaid inspector general is investigating the medical director of Planned Parenthood Illinois.

Even on the low standards of Prairie State government, our state's Medicaid operation is considered to be poorly run and rife with abuse. Governor Pat Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, has vowed to clean it up.

From Crain's:

Dr. Caroline Hoke was reimbursed more than $3 million by Medicaid during the state's 2009 fiscal year, making her the program's second-highest-paid doctor at the time, but the payments fell to zero by 2011, Crain's analysis of state records shows.

The state Department of Healthcare and Family Services has withheld payments to Dr. Hoke until "billing issues" are resolved, a DHFS spokesman confirms. He declines to comment on the details of the case.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois CEO Carole Brite denies any wrongdoing, calling the inquiry a "routine review." She says the organization will have to repay the state, but she declines to say how much.

The nonprofit is a key provider of abortions, contraceptives and other health care services to women, particularly the poor. The probe raises questions about an important source of funding for the organization, which received about half of its $25 million revenue from Medicaid in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, the most recent data available.

Planned Parenthood Illinois' PAC, which is a separate entity from Planned Parenthood, contributed $21,000 to Quinn's campaign fund 2009 through 2011, Crain's also reports. Surprised? You shouldn't be. The PAC is a big player in state politics. And in Illinois--you can't play in the big game without big money.

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