Ahead of next month’s open enrollment period for Medicaid health insurance, a new report shows more Illinois residents are insured. But that same report shows nearly three quarters of a million Illinoisans still don’t have health insurance.

Tens of thousands of Illinois residents have been waiting beyond the 45-day limit for their Medicaid applications to be processed. 

State Senator Scott Bennett says he hopes lawmakers override the governor’s amendatory veto of a bill he co-sponsored to speed up the processing of Medicaid applications for long term care in Illinois.

Adult Medicaid recipients in Illinois can now receive coverage for preventive dental services, which include regular exams and teeth cleanings. Coverage for these services were part of the new state budget that took effect on July 1.

lllinois' three million Medicaid users will soon have more access to mental health and substance abuse treatments. Officials in Washington, D.C. okayed a new state program that sets aside about $2 billion in Medicaid funds for the services.