Proposed Medicaid cuts could put nearly 1M Illinois residents at risk of losing coverage

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Federal, state and local leaders spoke out against proposed Medicaid cuts at an event on Chicago's Northwest Side on Saturday morning.

The Republican-backed federal budget resolution proposal includes a 25% cut in funding for Medicaid, which provides insurance for Americans who are disabled or are considered low-income.

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More than one in five Americans rely on Medicaid for health insurance.

Officials say nearly 1 million Illinois residents, many of whom come from underserved and minority communities, are at risk of losing coverage.

"Medicare doesn't survive if Medicaid goes. We're all in this together," said Congressman Jonathan Jackson, who represents Illinois' First Congressional District.

Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, who represents Illinois' Third Congressional District, says one in four people in her district depend on Medicaid. Many of them are children and seniors.

"People will die," Ramirez said. "Safety net hospitals are going to shut down. Community health centers are going to be forced to shut down."

The budget calling for the sweeping Medicaid reduction narrowly passed the House 217 to 215.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid includes nursing home care, personal care services, along with help paying for premiums.

Cuts to these programs could put vulnerable Americans at risk of losing medical care.

"These cuts are the difference between life and death. Let's not be confused. We must call it for what it is," said 26th Ward Ald. Jessie Fuentes.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker spoke about the issue on Friday, saying the consequences of the proposed cuts would rattle the state's healthcare system.

"Hospitals will close. People will lose their jobs. Illinois is doing all that we can to bolster access to health care. We've expanded access and made enrollment easier in Medicaid. We've invested in health care infrastructure," Pritzker said.

At Saturday morning's press conference, Humboldt Park Health President and CEO Jose Sanchez said people can expect much longer wait times in the emergency room if these cuts are approved.

"The potential cuts and impact in our community will be very grave, I would say," Sanchez said. "The worst scenario is we lose more than $10 million. All of our safety net hospitals are struggling. Some of them cannot even make payroll as we speak."

Sanchez says 70-80% of revenue for safety net hospitals comes from Medicaid while these hospitals are already struggling.

Chicago native Joe Kopera attended the news conference in an act of solidarity.

He says his loved ones could lose their health care with this community possibly feeling that lasting consequences.

"This hospital will not survive if these Medicaid cuts go through," Kopera said.