Grundy Reporter

Three Senate Republicans on the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) have raised concerns over the Pritzker Administration's program to provide free healthcare to undocumented immigrants in Illinois. During a recent hearing, officials from the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) presented rules to implement co-pays for migrants in the program.

According to the Senators, the co-pays will be significantly lower and less expensive than traditional healthcare plans for Illinois residents. Furthermore, managed care providers have the discretion to decide whether or not to charge co-pays, with one of the largest providers in Cook County already stating that they will not impose such charges. Mandatory co-pays will only apply to overnight hospital stays and surgical procedures.

In a press conference, the Senate Republicans emphasized the misplaced priorities of providing free healthcare to noncitizens while Illinois residents continue to face high premiums and co-pays for the same services. They highlighted the exponential growth of the program's cost, which has escalated from an estimated $2 million to over $1 billion in just a few years. The Senators stressed that Illinois taxpayers are not only paying for their own health insurance, but also covering the healthcare expenses of hundreds of thousands of noncitizens in the state.

During last year's budget process, the Pritzker Administration assured that the annual budget for the program would not exceed $550 million. However, DHFS officials admitted during the JCAR meeting that they were already over budget. Moreover, the healthcare component alone is projected to cost around $770 million this year, surpassing the initially promised amount by nearly 50%. It is estimated that total spending on all programs for noncitizens during fiscal years 2023 and 2024 will likely exceed $2 billion.

The Senate Republicans' concerns shed light on the financial implications of providing free healthcare to undocumented immigrants in Illinois. While the program aims to ensure access to healthcare for noncitizens, critics argue that it places an undue burden on Illinois taxpayers and raises questions about the state's budget management. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Pritzker Administration will address these concerns and manage the costs associated with the program.