Chicago City Wire

The Medicaid omnibus bill is a significant measure for Illinoisans, according to Stephanie Altman, director of healthcare justice and senior director of policy at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law.

She says it is important that kids and adults – whatever their economic status  – should be provided with affordable health coverage.

“The Shriver Center on Poverty Law where I work believes that everyone deserves access to affordable comprehensive health care no matter their income, race, gender, or where they're from,” Altman said.

According to her, everyone should stay healthy so people “can work, take care of their families, and be active members of their communities.”

“On behalf of the communities we serve, we commend the legislature and thank the governor for the passage and signing of this important piece of legislation which guarantees continued health care coverage without cost-sharing or premiums for low-income families in Illinois for the duration of the current public health emergency,” Altman said. "This provision will guarantee that these families experiencing both economic hardships due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will be able to keep their Medicaid health insurance regardless of changes in their income and employment and get the care that they need to stay healthy.”

Senate Bill 2294 also safeguards health access for children.

“This legislation will also make health care coverage for children under the ALL KIDS Health or CHIP program guaranteed under Medicaid without monthly premiums and reduce the harmful turning on and off of health care coverage permanently in Illinois,” Altman explained. “As you've heard today, Illinois is once again leading the nation in providing healthcare for all and responding to the COVID-19 crisis with compassion and care for overburdened families in this state.”

SB2294 “Provides that those provisions under the Illinois Public Aid Code that grant the Department of Healthcare and Family Services the authority to recover the value of health care benefits provided to a recipient under the Children's Health Insurance Program Act or the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act shall remain in force as to those causes of actions that accrued prior to the date upon which the Children's Health Insurance Program Act or the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act become inoperative.”

It would also permit “the Department to forgive, compromise, or reduce any debt owed by a former or current recipient of medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code or health care benefits under the Children's Health Insurance Program or the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Program.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Act at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.