By Indigo Quashie
Mission Possible: Lobby Days, 2008
CHICAGO — Today, on May 27, 2022, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4343: Medicaid Omnibus. This law contains two of AIDS Foundation Chicago’s (AFC) 2022 state legislative priorities, encouraging Medicaid enrollment by making the current practice of Medicaid continuous eligibility for Illinoisans with fluctuating income permanent. HB4343 also requires the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services (HFS) to maximize ex parte renewals, especially for Illinoisians with low employment income, people living with disabilities like HIV, and older adults. In addition to reforms related to Medicaid continuous eligibility and redeterminations, HB4343 also includes an extension of Medicaid-like coverage to undocumented immigrants ages 42-54 up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Line.
“No matter whether it’s treatment for HIV, diabetes or hypertension, having access to comprehensive health care shouldn’t be determined by your race, income, zip code, or immigration status. Ensuring that all Illinoisans can access quality, affordable, uninterrupted health care coverage, including Medicaid, is critical especially for most vulnerable Illinoisans,” stated Timothy S. Jackson, AFC’s Director of Government Relations.
AFC is proud to partner with Heartland Alliance, Aunt Martha’s, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Legal Council for Health Justice, Illinois Primary Health Care Association, and many others on this critical legislation.
Thank you Governor JB Pritzker, House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago), State Senators Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) and State Representative Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago for sponsoring and supporting these legislative measures. Together, we are working towards increasing health care equity and access and ending the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030.
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