Health News
The following originally appeared on The Shriver Brief from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.
As Illinois?s budget impasse continues, the failure of Governor Rauner and the state legislature to pass a fair, adequate, and fully funded budget is beginning to have an impact. Late last week, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit seeking to clarify what payments the state can and cannot make in the absence of a state budget. At issue, among other things, is the state comptroller?s authority to continue to pay state workers.
Importantly, the state also has an obligation to millions of low-income Illinoisans who are recipients of public benefits or beneficiaries of health care coverage. Earlier in June, the Shriver Center formally reminded state officials of their obligations under existing consent decrees to continue to provide these important services. The agreed order entered yesterday by the court in People v. Munger authorizes and requires the comptroller to continue to provide cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled programs, medical assistance, and child care assistance regardless of the lack of a state budget.
Millions of Illinois residents who would suffer needlessly by losing their income and health care coverage due to the lack of an operational state budget can feel secure tonight that their benefits will continue uninterrupted. Now it?s time for the governor and the state legislature to work together toward a budget that serves all of Illinois and includes the sustainable revenue needed to fund the programs that families need.
Dan Lesser
Director, Economic Justice
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
- Halloween Marks A Scary Time For Health Care In Illinois
If things don?t change soon, health care could be in for major setbacks in Illinois. The State budget battle is approaching its fifth month and counting. So far, Medicaid payments continue per court order, but other services are beginning to run...
- The Affordable Care Act: Dollars Flowing Into Illinois
There?s no debating that Illinois could use some healthcare help. The state is ranked the 29th healthiest state?not the absolute bottom, but nowhere near the top. A recent poll also listed Illinois as the 31st most obese state and 25th for diabetes?not...
- Keep Illinois Medicaid Strong: Principles For Financial Stability
The Illinois Medicaid program provides life-saving health coverage to nearly 2.7 million low-income children, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities and behavioral health needs, including addiction and mental illness. However, the program faces...
- Why We Must Save Illinois Cares Rx
Governor Quinn's proposed budget includes the elimination of the entire Illinois Cares Rx program, which provides prescription drug assistance to low income seniors and people with disabilities. The benefits of the Illinois Cares Rx Program to its...
- A Birthday For America's Children's Health Law - With The Gift Of Health For Illinois's Kids
It?s been two years since Congress and President Obama enacted legislation to strengthen the Children?s Health Insurance Program, known here in Illinois as All Kids. And at this birthday party, Illinois?s families no longer have to wish and hold their...
Health News
Illinois Must Continue to Provide Vital Benefits, Regardless of Failure to Pass State Budget
The following originally appeared on The Shriver Brief from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.
As Illinois?s budget impasse continues, the failure of Governor Rauner and the state legislature to pass a fair, adequate, and fully funded budget is beginning to have an impact. Late last week, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit seeking to clarify what payments the state can and cannot make in the absence of a state budget. At issue, among other things, is the state comptroller?s authority to continue to pay state workers.Importantly, the state also has an obligation to millions of low-income Illinoisans who are recipients of public benefits or beneficiaries of health care coverage. Earlier in June, the Shriver Center formally reminded state officials of their obligations under existing consent decrees to continue to provide these important services. The agreed order entered yesterday by the court in People v. Munger authorizes and requires the comptroller to continue to provide cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled programs, medical assistance, and child care assistance regardless of the lack of a state budget.
Millions of Illinois residents who would suffer needlessly by losing their income and health care coverage due to the lack of an operational state budget can feel secure tonight that their benefits will continue uninterrupted. Now it?s time for the governor and the state legislature to work together toward a budget that serves all of Illinois and includes the sustainable revenue needed to fund the programs that families need.
Dan Lesser
Director, Economic Justice
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
- Halloween Marks A Scary Time For Health Care In Illinois
If things don?t change soon, health care could be in for major setbacks in Illinois. The State budget battle is approaching its fifth month and counting. So far, Medicaid payments continue per court order, but other services are beginning to run...
- The Affordable Care Act: Dollars Flowing Into Illinois
There?s no debating that Illinois could use some healthcare help. The state is ranked the 29th healthiest state?not the absolute bottom, but nowhere near the top. A recent poll also listed Illinois as the 31st most obese state and 25th for diabetes?not...
- Keep Illinois Medicaid Strong: Principles For Financial Stability
The Illinois Medicaid program provides life-saving health coverage to nearly 2.7 million low-income children, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities and behavioral health needs, including addiction and mental illness. However, the program faces...
- Why We Must Save Illinois Cares Rx
Governor Quinn's proposed budget includes the elimination of the entire Illinois Cares Rx program, which provides prescription drug assistance to low income seniors and people with disabilities. The benefits of the Illinois Cares Rx Program to its...
- A Birthday For America's Children's Health Law - With The Gift Of Health For Illinois's Kids
It?s been two years since Congress and President Obama enacted legislation to strengthen the Children?s Health Insurance Program, known here in Illinois as All Kids. And at this birthday party, Illinois?s families no longer have to wish and hold their...