(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Immigrant rights' advocates are pushing back against cost projections for Illinois to continue to provide health insurance regardless of people's status while also trying to get it expanded.
Earlier this month, the state announced revised estimates for its Medicaid-style program, which serves anyone over the age of 42. Illinois officials estimated the program will cost three times the original forecast.
John Bouman, with the group Legal Action Chicago, called the $1.1 billion projection "wild" and "inflated."
"It is to be expected that when people have not had coverage, the first year or so they're going to deal with problems that haven't been treated," said Bouman. "So, it costs a little more in the first couple of years, but then it backs up."
In prior expansions, Bouman said a similar leveling off has happened.
Advocates gathered at Alivio Medical Center Tuesday morning to push for an expansion that would allow the program to serve people ranging from 19 to 41 years old.
The Center's founder Carmen Velasquez said it would show that immigrants provide value to this economy and are deserving of social justice.
Padraic Stanley, a social worker and program manager at Rush University Medical Center, said access to medical care can change lives.
"Everyone should have access to get the care that they need when these things happen, because life is so incredibly unpredictable, and we never know when we're going to need these resources," Stanley said.
The group plans to head to Springfield to pressure the governor and lawmakers to pass a bill to expand it.
Supporters said COVID made clear the consequences of a group of people lacking access to affordable health care.
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