Governor JB Pritzker Voices Concerns About Medicaid Cuts During Peoria Visit, Highlights Its Importance
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, during a recent stop in Peoria, emphasized the crucial role Medicaid plays in the state, especially for vulnerable communities. Speaking to a crowd at the EPIC facility, Pritzker explained how Medicaid serves not only the low-income but also a wide range of Illinoisans, including working parents, seniors, and people with disabilities.
As part of his statewide tour to oppose policies of the Trump administration, Pritzker shed light on the nearly 3.4 million Illinois residents who depend on Medicaid for their healthcare coverage. He stressed that Medicaid isn’t just a program for low-income individuals, but one that covers a large portion of the state’s population, including children and seniors.
“Medicaid covers nearly half of our state’s children’s health care — half. It’s the largest insurer for people who live in nursing homes,” said Pritzker. “So don’t think of this program as being, ‘Oh, this is just a program for poor people.’ It’s for a whole lot of people. And I guarantee we all know somebody, or lots of people, that are on Medicaid.”
The Governor’s comments come at a time when Medicaid faces threats due to potential federal budget cuts. A proposed $880 billion cut to the federal budget, which could affect Medicaid, Medicare, and possibly Social Security, is being discussed by Republican lawmakers. According to Pritzker, such reductions would have devastating effects, particularly on rural hospitals, which rely heavily on Medicaid funding to stay operational.
“Reductions in Medicaid would threaten rural hospitals that depend on this funding to stay open. This could impact as many as 445,000 full-time employees,” Pritzker explained.
He highlighted Illinois’ efforts to expand healthcare access and expressed concern that national policies should focus on investing in healthcare infrastructure, rather than making cuts that could harm the state’s vulnerable populations.
Pritzker’s visit to Peoria was part of a broader campaign to protect Medicaid and other essential services. During his visit, he participated in a community discussion at EPIC, which provides care and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This event brought together Medicaid recipients, healthcare providers, home aides, and other advocates.
EPIC’s mission revolves around helping individuals with developmental disabilities gain independence and improve their quality of life. Kim Cornwell, EPIC’s President and CEO, emphasized that Medicaid doesn’t just provide health care, but also covers vital services such as assistance with self-care, medication administration, meal preparation, and transportation.
“Medicaid pays for more than just health care for the people that we serve,” said Cornwell. “It pays for skilled professionals to assist them in their homes with self-care, meal preparation, medication administration, transportation and support when they work, volunteer, and get involved in their communities.”
Medicaid funding covers about 82% of EPIC’s $25.1 million budget. Cornwell made it clear that any cuts to this funding would be devastating to the organization’s ability to continue offering these essential services.
“Reducing this funding would be catastrophic for our ability to serve individuals in need,” she added.
In response to potential cuts, Pritzker reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Illinois stands firm in its support of Medicaid and other healthcare programs. He stressed that expanding healthcare access is key to building a stronger, more resilient community.
“Medicaid is at the heart of the American social contract,” said Ai-Jen Poo, president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, who also spoke at the event. “It’s a promise we make to each other and to future generations that we will take care of each other.”
Pritzker’s visit and comments highlighted a critical conversation around the future of Medicaid in Illinois and the nation, underscoring its importance not only for low-income individuals but for many across the state. The Governor’s message is clear: defending Medicaid is a vital issue that affects the well-being of millions, and cutting its funding would have far-reaching consequences.
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