Many Illinois hospitals, whose budgets heavily rely on Medicaid funding, are beginning to brace themselves for a financial hit, as the state revamps the formula to distribute the money. Reports say that among the state’s 22 safety net hospitals is St. Bernard, who has more than ½ of their patient stays covered by Medicaid. CEO Charles Holland says that St. Bernard will need more money to keep that viable in the future. The hospital assessment program distributes about $3.5-billion in Medicaid funding. It has also not been updated in over a decade and still uses 2005 patient date and 2009 outpatient date, in order to determine the amount the hospital pays and receives. Officials say that the date does not reflect on how and where Medicaid recipients get their care. Lawmakers are expected to vote on a redesigned plan by the end of the month or in early February.