Illinois State Senate District 1 issued the following announcement on May 29.
Recognizing that undocumented seniors are at high risk of hospitalization from COVID-19, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) supported expanding Medicaid to cover low-income undocumented seniors.
“Our undocumented community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, both economically and in contracting the virus,” Munoz said. “That’s why it was important to expand Medicaid to undocumented seniors who have few resources available.”
Under House Bill 357, Illinois would become the first state to offer Medicaid benefits to seniors regardless of immigration status. The legislation makes seniors over 65 whose income is at or below the federal poverty level, which is $12,670, eligible for Medicaid.
The initiative was a priority of the Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus as the communities they represent have experienced some of the highest case counts in the state. Latinos make up 31% of confirmed cases and 19% of deaths, while making up 17% of Illinois’ total population.
The measure will be sent to the governor for final approval.
Original source can be found here.
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