Illinois’ top Medicaid official has announced a timetable for moving hundreds of thousands of poor and disabled patients into managed care health plans. Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Julie Hamos said yesterday the timetable is aimed at a January 1st deadline for enrolling at least half the state’s Medicaid patients in managed care. The goal is to reduce wasteful spending. Hamos says 1.7 million people will get packets in the mail by the end of the year outlining their health plan choices. Those who don’t choose a plan will be assigned to one. Patients can switch during the first 90 days. The change affects Medicaid patients in approximately 30 counties in central and southwestern Illinois.