HR0804 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0804 LRB101 20834 MST 70999 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Medicaid program provides insurance coverage to the most vulnerable populations, including seniors, people with disabilities, low-income children, and adults who could not otherwise afford access to healthcare; and

WHEREAS, Currently in Illinois, 3.2 million Illinoisans are enrolled in the Medicaid program, and over half of the births in Illinois are to children on Medicaid; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Medicaid program ensures coverage for children in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services who have been entrusted to the State of Illinois to provide for their safety and well-being; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Medicaid currently operates as a federal entitlement program, wherein the federal government provides federal matching dollars for services rendered to Illinois Medicaid beneficiaries; and

WHEREAS, The federal government has unveiled a proposal for states to apply for block grant funding for their Medicaid programs, which would effectively provide a limited amount of resources to states and allow states to limit and reduce populations and benefits provided to their Medicaid beneficiaries; and

WHEREAS, Block grant funding would result in limited federal resources to states and subsequently reduced services to Medicaid beneficiaries, who rely on the state for healthcare services they need and deserve; and

WHEREAS, The proposal would also greatly reduce vital resources to healthcare providers throughout Illinois, particularly those who serve greater percentages of low-income families in both rural and urban areas of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Medicaid block grants would create incredible financial pressure on an already fragile healthcare system, which would inevitably lead to reduced services and limited healthcare access for those in need; and

WHEREAS, The block grant proposal is a federal option, meaning that states must apply via an 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver in order to transition from an entitlement program to a block grant program; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that due to the negative impact this proposal would have on the most vulnerable populations and the providers who care for them, the State of Illinois shall not apply for an 1115 Demonstration Waiver that would result in limited federal resources or reduced services to Illinois Medicaid beneficiaries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of the resolution be delivered to the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Governor.