Feds approve Illinois managed care plan

     CHICAGO (AP) – More than 135,000 high-cost Illinois patients who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid will be assigned to a managed care health plan by early next year, if they don’t opt out of a new program to coordinate their care.

      The initiative is a partnership between Illinois and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

      Illinois is the fourth state to get approval for such a demonstration project, aimed at providing better care at lower costs for a group of patients known as “dual eligibles.” The federal agency announced its approval Friday.

      Dual eligibles account for a high proportion of spending in Medicaid. In 2010, for example, they made up about 9 percent of the population and 27 percent of the costs of the program.

La Salle taking entries for St. Patrick’s Day parade

          St. Patrick’s Day won’t go unnoticed in La Salle.  L-PAC is planning a parade and window decorating contest.  If you would like your group or business to have a float or car in the parade, contact Dan Burke. 

The parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at 1pm.  Line up will be at 12pm at Second and Wright Streets. 

Businesses are also encouraged to decorate their store fronts.  Judging will begin the week of March 11.  The winning entry will receive a traveling trophy.

Darin LaHood to speak at Lincoln Day Dinner

           Local republicans get together tomorrow to raise money and dine.  The La Salle County Lincoln Day Dinner returns to Celebrations 150 in La Salle Sunday.

          State Senator Darin LaHood will be the keynote speaker.  He’s been in state government since 2011 and is the son of U-S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

State Senator Sue Rezin and State Representative Pam Roth are also expected to be there.

The evening begins at 5:30pm Sunday.