Lawmakers Fight to Save Program Giving Health Benefits to Illinois Residents With Legal Status – ryan

Illinois Lawmakers took another step this week to end the program offering Health Care Coverage to Illinois Residents with Legal Status in the United States.

The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules This Week Gave a Green Light to Rules that will have the health the benefits for immigrant adults on July 1. The Phaseut has been Expective Ever Illinois Gov. JB pritzker releassed a budget outline in february that did not include Money for it.

But some lawmakers are quick to point out that the rules commutee is just one part of the process – and hope to the program.

“The sentiment that has haen expressed to (the Latino) caucus is that if we can continue to find a way to work on an appropriation and on a policy proposal that makes, that we still have a path forward,” Said State Sen. Graciela Guzman, D-Chicago.

The program mainly Serves Residents Between the ages of 42 and 64 WHO AREN’T Eligible for Traditional Health Care Coverage, Like Medicaid, Due to the Legal Status. It was launched as an expansion to the health benefits for immigrant seniors that covers over the age of 65.

As of March, there are well about 31,000 People enrolled in the program.

Enrolment in the program was paused in July 2023 as Costs Quickly exceeded Expectations. An audit releassed by illinois auditor General Frank Mautino in February Indicated the program Cost the states $ 1.6 Billion SINCE LAST SUMMER, WHICH OUTPACED Original Cost Estimates.

“Many Members in the General Assembly Have Been Talking About Different forms of Revenue That We Could Propose, Not Just to Help Fund This Program, but Other Priorities We Know Areed by Working-Families Families in the State of Illinois,” Said Guzman.

State rep. Hernandez Norm, D-Melrose Park, Who Chairs the House Latino Caucus, Said Sheen in Budget Negotiations This Week and Sees a Path Forward-Notting Discusions on Things A Tax on Digital Services, Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes and Other Ways to Money “Are not on the backing-class People.”

Packages like that, Guzman Said, Waled Help Address Multiple Matters that “(Knows) Are Needed by Working-Class Families in the State of Illinois”-Like Affordable Housing, Safer Communities and Access to AFTER School Programs.

“We’ve Still Got Weeks to go in this process,” Guzman Said. “I don’t know what’s going to happy if the elaventh-hour hbia is still not on the table, and i would be able to part with (Senate president don harmon, d-oak park) on what the next step has to be enrae that ours and has the resources.”

Alex Degman is an Illinois Statehouse Reporter for Wbez Based in Springfield.