Support SB26: A New Medicaid Opportunity for Illinois
SB26 would allow for 342,000 low-income adults in Illinois to be newly eligible for
and enrolled in Medicaid over the next four years. Coverage for those who enroll
would start on Jan 1, 2014. Enrollment starts Oct 2013.
SB26 includes language that would cease coverage for this new population if the
federal government’s share of Medicaid matching funds drops below 90%. The
federal government pays 100% of the costs of the newly eligible from 2014 through
2016.
Who are the newly eligible?
Of the 1.7 million uninsured Illinois residents, approximately 342,000 people
would be newly eligible for Medicaid. Over 60% of those newly eligible are employed, but work at low-wage or part-time jobs that do not offer affordable coverage.
Why is it important for Illinois pass this legislation?
Through 2016, this legislation will bring an estimated $4.6 billion into Illinois
in Medicaid provider payments for the newly eligible adults, with no net state costs
for their health care. Access to low-cost preventive and maintenance medical care through a medical home will help to keep individuals out of costly emergency rooms.Coverage for this newly eligible population is required by federal law.
How much would this cost Illinois?
“New Medicaid” would be paid for 100% by the federal government, from
2014 – 2016, replacing GRF and local government funds currently spent on this
population and reducing the uncompensated care costs shifted to public and private
payers.
The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that total uncompensated care in
Illinois would decline by approximately $953 million from 2013-2022. Illinois would receive federal funds to pay for mental health and other services
that are currently only state-funded.Townships and general assistance units would be relieved from paying some of
the bills of general assistance recipients who are uninsured.
SUPPORT SB26 TODAY!
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