Illinois NAELA has been busy.  With feedback from many members, we collected numerous specific examples that demonstrate the concerns that we have about the manner in which Medicaid applications have been processed.  “Illinois NAELA Addresses Serious Concerns Regarding Longstanding DHS and HFS Medicaid Application Filings” is a document that summarizes the three key areas of administrative failings and offers potential solutions.  Those issues are: (1) Notices of Decisions by the Department are Lacking Procedurally and Substantively; (2) Applicants are Terminated from Benefits without Notice/Due Process; and (3) Communication is Non-Existent.  Last week, Illinois NAELA representatives had a productive meeting in Chicago with a dozen representatives of the Department of Health and Family Services (HFS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to discuss these issues and offered specific case examples demonstrating the real concerns that our members have, the actual danger to Illinois Medicaid applicants, and potential solutions to these important issues.  We were encouraged by the seriousness with which HFS and DHS approached our meeting and are looking forward to a continuing dialogue on these and other critical issues.