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Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) and community advocates from the Healthy IL Coalition are pleased to announce that low-income immigrant seniors, who are 55 to 64 years old, can now enroll in Medicaid-like healthcare coverage through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. This is an expansion of similar coverage already available to immigrant seniors who are 65 and older and which was approved in the 2020 Illinois state budget.
“Over the last two years, we have seen Covid-19 devastate communities that do not have access to the healthcare they need to live full and healthy lives. I am proud of the historic work we have done in Illinois to expand coverage to some of our most vulnerable residents,” Ramirez said. “I hope that this program will continue to set the standard for how states can take care of immigrant communities who otherwise would not have access to healthcare coverage.”
Ramirez has also sponsored and is championing HB4437 legislation that would expand this healthcare coverage to all low-income people 19-54 years old regardless of immigration status. The bill is currently pending consideration in Springfield as Rep. Ramirez and community stakeholders continue to advocate to expand coverage to all low-income residents in Illinois.
“I extend my gratitude to the team at the Department of Health and Family Services, Deputy Governor Sol Flores, and Governor J.B. Pritzker who have worked tirelessly to get this program running one month ahead of schedule. This shows the clear commitment by this administration to ensure our most vulnerable residents are protected” Ramirez added.
This coverage is available to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, who meet income eligibility requirements similar to Medicaid. The following resources are available to those interested in learning more.
Apply online at ABE.illinois.gov
Apply by phone by calling the ABE Call Center at 1-800-843-6154
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