Regardless of immigration status, an Illinois budget expansion has enabled roughly 11,000 seniors to get Medicaid-like coverage. The proposed expansion will include impoverished adult immigrants between the ages of 55 and 64 in the program, which will give them benefits similar to those provided by Medicaid or Medicare.
- New options: As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), uninsured Illinoisans have new options for health coverage either through the state’s Medicaid program or through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace (the Marketplace). These options make it more affordable to get health coverage and meet the federal requirement that all individuals have health coverage starting in 2014.
- Expansion: Eligible enrollees must be below the federal poverty line, which means the expansion targets immigrants who disproportionately work low-income, essential jobs, according to the report. Low income and a lack of healthcare access primarily leaves them in the blind spot of government programs and private insurance.
- Coverage: The expansion is poised to go into effect in May 2022. While Illinois was the first state to create a program that provided healthcare coverage to immigrants over the age of 65 living in the country without legal permission, other states, such as California and Oregon, have since implemented similar programs.
- Legality: All Illinois residents between 19 and 64 years of age, who are U.S. citizens or who have legal status, and who have monthly income less than $1,366 for an individual or $1,845 for a couple, are eligible for Medicaid through the “ACA Adult” category. This means Illinois Medicaid now provides health coverage for low-income individuals who are seniors, persons with disabilities, parents/caretakers of dependent children, “ACA adults,” pregnant women, and children (under the All Kids program).
- Commitments: “I’m proud and inspired to be a part of making bold changes to our mental healthcare services in Illinois that will help all Illinoisans receive the essential services and care they need, no matter where they live or their socioeconomic status,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Mental healthcare is healthcare. It’s medically necessary, it’s lifesaving, and it can help address the systemic trauma that has held many communities back for far too long.”