Healthcare for non-citizens in Illinois is located in the Chopping Block | Video
Those who received the words that they could lose state-funded health insurance took them to the Illinois Capitol on April 23 to shake lawmakers.
Approximately 32,000 non-citizens in Illinois will lose coverage unless they decide to continue funding the initiative that costs the state around $330 million.
Immigration advocates and those who received the words that they could lose state-funded health insurance, took them to the Illinois Capitol on April 23 to shake lawmakers.
Approximately 32,000 non-citizens in Illinois will lose coverage unless they decide to continue funding the initiative that costs the state around $330 million.
Here's what you need to know about the program and what it's going on:
What is HBIA and why is it threatened?
Gov. JB Pritzker's 2026 budget proposes eliminating the health benefits of immigrant adult programs that provide healthcare to low-income people in the United States without legal permission.
The program was launched in 2022 and covered people between the ages of 42 and 64.
The health benefits of the Immigration Senior Program, which began that year, will continue, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The program serves eligible people over the age of 65.
However, the governor's office says the decision not to propose funds reflects the state's financial reality.
“As always, I am ready to work with members of the General Assembly to deliberate and negotiate the final budget, but let's be clear: I just sign a balanced budget.
Gathering at the Capitol
More than 100 demonstrators from multiple organizations gathered at the Capitol to try and talk to lawmakers.
Alfredo Parafox, community organizer for the Southwest Organization Project, said both parents are receiving medical care through the program. They have lived in the state for nearly 20 years and have paid taxes. His mother is 57 years old and his father is 65 years old.
Parafox's father knew he couldn't afford to go without that support, so it was his first visit to the doctor since he enrolled in the program. His mother also forgot to go to the doctor for years before the program gave her the opportunity.
While most of these protesters looked Hispanic, Lana Alkirano also spoke as a program coordinator for Arab-American Family Services.
Alchirano spoke on behalf of a client who is too afraid to speak directly due to the political climate surrounding immigrants. She said her client is a woman who raises three children alone while fighting chronic illness.
“My client's story is a painful example of how our healthcare system leaves behind people, especially immigrants, uninsured and already vulnerable,” Alchirano said.
Overexpense and other issues
An audit published in 2023 found the program to be extremely over-pervasive.
The senior program cost $412 million over the first three years. This was reportedly 84% higher than the original estimate.
The adult program was expanded to cover non-citizen adults ages 55 to 64, and later to cover younger people ages 44, reported Capitol News Illinois. The first two years cost $485.3 million, about 284% more than the original estimates for both programs combined.
Additionally, we found that over 6,000 people enrolled in the program were classified as “undocumented” despite having Social Security numbers. Some of them were green cardholders who were able to qualify for Medicaid or traditional insurance instead.
What other options are there?
According to IDHFS, those currently insured by the HBIA since June 30 may have access to primary and preventive care at free charity clinics serving uninsured individuals at federal qualifying health centers and free charity clinics that serve uninsured people.
Tom Ackerman covers Breaking News and Trending News, along with general news from the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be contacted at tackerman@gannett.com.
