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Officials with the Illinois Primary Health Care Association,
which represents 53 Federally Qualified Health Centers around
the state, want increased funding to address what they call
inadequate community health center payment rates, and
insufficient behavioral health rates.
Advocates say a $100 million increase in funding could allow
federally qualified health centers to care for 180,000 more
people each year and hire an additional 250 health care
providers. The federal government would cover half of the
funding.
“It is imperative that we make proper investments in health care
to ensure equity in our system,” said Ollie Idowu, president and
CEO of the Illinois Primary Health Care Association.
State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, is sponsoring House Bill 2298
that would increase reimbursement rates for meeting patients’
medical, dental, and behavioral health needs under the Medicaid
program.
“The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on two undeniable
truths,” Moeller said. “One, that there is a stark inequity in
our health care system, and two, that we must do a better job in
investing in health care for underserved communities.”
A new study led by a School of Public Health researcher has
found that nearly all FQHC quality-of-care performance measures,
as well as overall visit volumes, plummeted during the first
year of the pandemic, and the decreases persisted into 2021.
The funding request will be submitted as part of state budget
negotiations leading up to the scheduled May 19 adjournment of
the spring legislative session.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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