SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Thursday that the federal government approved the state’s plan to match Medicaid funding for hospitals across the state.The plan — known as the Hospital Assessment Program — requires hospitals to pay a state tax which is then matched by the federal government. It will generate $3.5 billion for Illinois and those funds will be distributed to hospitals.“This is a critical step in making sure our safety net and rural hospitals can keep their doors open in …