The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly today to block changes to the Medicaid program proposed by the Bush administration. That's good news for Illinois according to a report (PDF) out from Families USA, an affordable health care advocacy group.

The report details how Bush's plan would cost Illinois 10,800 jobs, $418.8 million in wages, and $1.2 billion in business activity, as well as cut into the state's ability to care for Medicaid recipients:

The seven regulation changes issued by the Bush Administration in 2007 [...] restrict funding for a variety of Medicaid services, including rehabilitation services, school-based transportation, as well as Medicaid administrative services such as outreach, enrollment, and case management.

All told, Families USA says that the Bush administration seeks to withhold $2.5 billion in federal funding for Illinois Medicaid over the next five years. The decrease would not only impact the health care industry, but could act as an "anti-stimulus package" that will stop money from flowing into other areas of the economy as well:

These cuts in federal Medicaid payments will have a ripple effect through state economies that are already struggling during this economic downturn. This economic harm will increase the number of people who may need Medicaid, as thousands of Illinoisans see their paychecks being cut or their jobs being eliminated.

The report also argues that health care for children and people with disabilities would be especially hard hit by the Bush plan.

Today, the House voted 349-62 in favor of a one year moratorium on the proposed changes -- well above the margin needed to override a presidential veto. The AP is reporting that the Senate may also have enough votes to stall Bush's plan until he leaves office.