HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE SOUNDING AN ALARM ABOUT THE RISING COST OF THE STATE’S HEALTH BENEFITS FOR IMMIGRANT ADULTS PROGRAM 

THE PROGRAM SERVES UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN ILLINOIS AGES 42 AND OLDER. ENROLLMENT HAS BEEN HIGHER THAN EXPECTED AND WILL REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING IN THE NEW BUDGET YEAR SAYS REPRESENTATIVE NORINE HAMMOND OF MACOMB.

REPRESENTATIVE RYAN SPAIN OF PEORIA SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE A PAUSE ON THE PROGRAM, AND AN AUDIT.

THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SERVE IMMIGRANTS WHO AREN’T ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID BECAUSE OF THEIR STATUS AND IS FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE STATE. 

SOME MEMBERS OF THE LATINO LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS ARE REPORTEDLY HOPING TO EXPAND COVERAGE TO INCLUDE YOUNGER ADULTS.