The federal government is allowing Illinois to use $2-billion in Medicaid dollars, to invest in behavioral health programs, partly meant to address the opioid crisis. Republican Governor Bruce Rauner stated on Monday that Illinois received a waiver for their efforts to Medicare centers and Medicaid services. Rauner said that the state is going to use the existing Medicaid funds to test out 10 pilot programs, in order to expand preventive and community health services. Many of the proposed treatment plans address the mentally ill and people who suffer from substance abuse. The governor says that health initiatives will make Illinois a national leader in the way that mental health services are provided. The waiver will expire in 5-years, but can be renewed. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 43 states are going to be operating at least one approved Medicaid waiver.