Advocates for Illinois’ free and charitable clinics made their case this week for millions in state funding.
The Senate’s Appropriations – Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony Wednesday evening on a plan from Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, to allocate $9 million toward such providers in the coming fiscal year.
The funds would be a continuation of funding in recent budgets.
Villa told colleagues that, per the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, such providers served more than 43,000 patients last year. Of those, 100 percent lived in poverty, and nearly three-quarters were minority residents.
“I want to emphasize who broadly these services are utilized by, they’re the most vulnerable communities across the state,” Villa said.
Melissa Maguire, executive director of the association, said clinics are “needed now more than ever” due to changing federal immigration policies affecting their patients, threats of cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and the elimination of the state program that provides health benefits for some undocumented adults.
She noted the provider does not receive Medicaid reimbursements nor funding from the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
“Free and charitable clinics have provided healthcare while remaining committed to providing quality care to our residents,” Maguire said. “Continued funding will provide ongoing support for our clinics, their patients and the community they serve.”
Officials said Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed spending plan does not include funding for the providers. Instead, it reallocates existing funds to the groups.
Stephanie Wilding, CEO of CommunityHealth, told lawmakers that the clinics provided over $29 million in care last year and helped Illinois hospitals avoid $36 million in unnecessary emergency room visits.
“So on behalf of the 48 free and charitable clinics across Illinois, thank you for listening, but also for believing, as we do, that healthcare is a right and not a privilege,” Wilding said.
Similar arguments were made by Maguire and supporters Thursday morning during the House’s Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee.
“These are clinics that are all over the state of Illinois, every corner,” said Rep. Theresa Mah, a Chicago Democrat who sponsors the House proposal to support the clinics. “They serve the uninsured and underinsured, and they provide a variety of services that are truly critical to many of the individuals in our districts.”
Read full article here: Free and charitable clinics ask lawmakers for continued financial support | Health News Illinois