Illinois State Bill 26 passed today in the Illinois State Senate. Beginning January 1, 2014, the bill:
"extends benefits under the State's medical assistance program to persons aged 19 or older, but younger than 65, who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the Code, who qualify for medical assistance under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, and who have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level plus 5% for the applicable family size. Provides that the 4-year moratorium on the expansion of medical assistance eligibility through increasing financial eligibility standards shall not apply to this new class of persons. Provides that such persons shall receive coverage for the Health Benefits Service Package. Defines "Health Benefits Service Package". Provides that if Illinois' federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is reduced below 90% for persons eligible for medical assistance under the specified provisions, medical assistance eligibility for this new class of persons shall cease no later than the end of the third month following the month in which the reduction in FMAP takes effect. Effective immediately."
This means that an individual with an annual income below 15,415 would be able to enroll in Medicaid starting January 14, 2014. As part of the federal Patient Care and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the State will be repaid by the federal government for the entire cost of these new Medicaid enrollees through 2017. The rate of reimbursement will decrease from 100% after 2017 but remain at least 90% after 2020.
Illinois State Bill 26 Full Text HERE.
State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed healthcare expansion legislation (SB 26) out of its chamber: “There are over 4,000 needy people in the 49th District who will benefit from this proposal. I am pleased that the Senate was able to pass legislation that extends protections to people and families whose health and well-being are too often overlooked.”
