Impact of Medicaid resources on core public health responsibilities of local health departments in Illinois.

With Illinois' plan to embark on a statewide Medicaid managed care program, the impact of Medicaid resources on core public health responsibilities of local health departments (LHDs) was assessed and found to be substantial. A reduction of $330,000 in core public health activities would likely accompany each $1 million in Medicaid resources lost by these LHDs. Only by actively participating in the planning and implementation of these conversions can public health agencies maintain high productivity and efficiency in addressing core public health responsibilities in their communities.