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Citing a report by Health Care and Family Services, state Rep.
Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, said since there is no federal match for
treating immigrants, the state of Illinois will have to pick up an
enormous tab.
“The HFS report shows a dramatic growth in undocumented immigrant
participation, which will require nearly a billion dollars in
general revenue funds to support this program in fiscal year 2024,”
Hammond said during a Thursday news conference.
The report estimates for 2024, there will be an additional 108,400
undocumented immigrants needing care, far exceeding earlier
estimates.
The report also showed that in 2020, the Health Care Benefits for
Immigrant Seniors program exceeded its appropriation in the first
month of implementation.
State Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, is introducing a measure that would
do two things, one of which would allow for an audit of the program.
“The second is a moratorium that needs to begin immediately,” Spain
said. “We have to push the pause button. We cannot accept any
further enrollments into this program.”
State Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, said Illinois has been a
trendsetter in providing health care to all. He told The Center
Square that he is not too sure about the numbers in the report.
“In terms of reacting to numbers that we are not quite certain that
they are accurate is a little premature,” Aquino said.
Hammond said the billion dollar estimate could better be used to
address the challenges in the Department of Children and Family
Services, or to address the substantial workforce shortages at the
state’s nursing homes, among other uses.
Greg Bishop contributed to this
report.
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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