SPRINGFIELD — As the Illinois General Assembly adjourns legislative session, the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) celebrates several key victories for our member community health centers.
With the support of our sponsors in the General Assembly, the Pritzker Administration, and community health center advocates, IPHCA proudly secured a $50 million Medicaid rate increase, expansion of billable behavioral health provider types, and $3 million for scholarship and student loan repayment programs for healthcare workers from underrepresented backgrounds.
As a result of this historic increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates, Illinois health centers will be able to serve many more patients, hire additional providers, increase the number and types of services and programs offered, and stave off challenges stemming from high inflation pressures. Additionally, the broadening of billable behavioral health providers and investment in the Equity and Representation in Health Care Act will help to shore up the workforce necessary to grow access to high-quality, comprehensive care today and into the future.
While Illinois’ Medicaid rates for community health center services still lag those of neighboring states, the new funding levels represent an integral step in the right direction. In partnership with the General Assembly and the Governor’s Administration, we will continue to work toward strengthening community health centers’ capacity to care for underserved Illinoisans and innovate to meet the unique needs of communities across our diverse state.
During a difficult budget climate, we greatly appreciate the legislature’s vote of confidence and willingness to continue investing in the community health centers – a model that has proven to keep people healthy, thereby improving patient health outcomes and lowering Medicaid costs. We look forward to working with Governor Pritzker and his administration to codify and implement these important advancements in access to affordable, high-quality primary care for all Illinoisans.
ABOUT THE ILLINOIS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
IPHCA is a nonprofit trade association that represents all community health centers throughout the state. Illinois’ 53 community health centers provide comprehensive, integrated primary care including medical, behavioral, and oral health care to more than 1.5 million patients annually across over 400 service sites in medically underserved rural, urban, and suburban communities.