Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during the Mcintyre-Shame 100 Club-Dinner in Manchester, New Hampshire.
AP/27 April 2025
Springfield – Gov. JB Pritzker’s positioning of Illinois as one sanctomA hospitable port for immigrants from all over the world, this spring, became the harsh reality of the state budget.
The Democrat is a leading critic of the government of President Donald Trump, in particular her immigration policy. But confronted with a budget deficit for the coming tax year, the proposed tax plan of $ 55.2 billion Pritzker would reduce part of a four -year program that offers health coverage to some adults, regardless of immigration status. Illinois is one of the seven states and the District or Columbia to offer such a program.
California, which led Illinois last year by offering health care to all adult immigrants, has come across a similar income problem and Plans to stop registration In his program.
Rep. Barbara Hernandez, a democrat in Chicago in the suburbs, said the program helps many families.
“There is an enormous need in the community without papers that otherwise could not get health care,” she said.
If Democrats, who control the General Meeting of Illinois, cannot find money to continue the plan for estimate this year $ 404 million cost-silk tens of thousands of migrants are left without health coverage in Medicaid style.
It may not be just a matter of income, but of will, given Threats by congress republicans. While De Gop tries to reduce the expenditure, including Medicaid, to make Trump’s hoped tax cuts affordable, the immigrant health programs of states will be in sight.
What is the program?
In 2020, Illinois became the first state to offer needs -based health insurance to all older adults, including a low income migrants who entered the country illegally, when the health benefits for immigrants introduced seniors, who covered 65 years and older. In 2021 it introduced a second program that became health benefits for adults for immigrants, for immigrants from 42 to 64 years.
The registration in both programs has stopped, but the senior program will continue after 30 June for the current registered persons, while the program for the young person than 65 will end.
What happens elsewhere?
California, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington, DC Also offer public health insurance to adults, regardless of immigration status, according to the Los Angeles -based National Immigration Law Center. Colorado and Washington offer insurance obtained through the private market with financial support from the state. Just like Illinois, New York treats older migrants with a public program.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who just like Pritzker has presidential ambitions, Last week, a freezing announced when registering in the Immigrant Care Program of that State. The costs ran $ 2.7 billion on prediction for 1.6 million participants.
How large – and expensive – is the Illinois program?
There are about 31,500 Program -participants In the crowd below 65 and the costs of covering them this year, are estimated at $ 404 million. The two programs together register more than 43,300 at an estimated cost of $ 538 million this year. With an estimated 400,000 immigrants without legal permission to live in Illinois, supporters point out that participation is probably far below suitability.
Why is free health care available for migrants?
Proponents say that the programs guarantee a healthier. People are better able to work. They often visit doctors and catch small problems before they become catastrophes. They can manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and prevent new health problems.
And they don’t get it for free, proponents hold it up. Heads in Illinois led by immigrants pay $ 8.6 billion a year in state and local taxes, according to a 2024 University of Illinois at Chicago Study.
“This argument of immigrants who let or take resources actually work earlier to work and, moreover, absolutely pay taxes for which they do not receive any benefits,” said Tovia Siegel of the Resurrection Project, an immigrant justice of interest group established in Chicago.
Illinois Republicans are not on board. Rep. Ryan Spain, a deputy minority leader from Peoria, points out that congress republicans wonder why states complain about federal cuts on Medicaid somehow have enough in state treasury to cover the immigrant programs.
“The high costs of the program outweighs the proponents of the arguments,” said Spain. “It is a priceless beacon to attract extra illegal immigrants to the state of Illinois.”
Are there tangible cost savings?
The programs have saved Illinois hospitals considerable amounts, according to a study published this month.
People without insurance often treat first aid, where the costs can go through heavenly, as their doctor’s office. Hospitals often eat those bills.
A Study by embody Racism Lab At the University of Chicago discovered that, since the health benefits for immigrant programs have started, the poor debts of hospitals are owed for services that managers consider “unlikely or unreachable” – the equivalent of $ 1.5 million a year per hospital.
“Our findings suggest that these programs have the potential to improve both equity in health care access and the financial burden for hospitals that serve all residents of Illinois,” the study reported.
What do legislators do?
Discussions about compiling a state budget are simply warming up, although the spring session of the legislative power ends on 31 May. Senator Elgie Sims from Chicago, the credit leader of the Senate Democrats, said that the health program is one of the many worthy efforts that compete for a place in the column for spending.
Matthew Lopas, director of state orders for the National Immigration Law Center, gave a challenge to Pritzker and the general meeting to “keep the line and stay dedicated” during “a time or extremist politicians who are together on sander.”
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