[ad_1]
Some Illinois lawmakers are drawing attention to the costs to provide healthcare to foreign immigrants.
They’re saying the estimated cost to taxpayers is nearly $1 billion next year.
Lawmakers are citing a report by Health Care and Family Services. They’re concerned the state will be left to pay the bill for health care.
Republican lawmakers raising questions about the costs to provide healthcare to immigrants, with estimates saying the program could cost close to $1 billion next year.
“I think it’s important that the citizens of the state of Illinois the taxpayers know about this and that their voices are heard as well. That they have priorities on where they think their tax dollars should be going,” Rep. Norine Hammond, (R) Macomb, said.
The report refers to the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors Program.
The report says in 2024, there will be 108,400 more undocumented immigrants needing health care.
Hammond is concerned this will leave the state to pay the bill.
“They may be paying some sales taxes certainly on the goods that they are buying…So, there would be some level of tax that they might be paying. But certainly not what an Illinois citizen would be,” Hammond said.
According to data from the Migration Policy Institute from 2019, current estimates report the number of unauthorized immigrants in the state is approximately 425,000 with 68 percent employed in the workforce.
State Pep. Ryan Spain said the state needs to hit the pause button.
“We cannot accept any further enrollments into this program because I worry very greatly and all of us that, we are extending a benefit that will be unsustainable in the future. so let’s hit the pause button,” Rep. Ryan Spain, (R) Peoria, said.
In a statement, Governor Pritzker’s office said:
“The Republicans said it’s time we have some adults in the room when it comes to budgeting. To be clear, the only lawmakers with a proven record of balancing the budget and improving state finances are Governor Pritzker and the Democratic supermajority in the general assembly. The governor just proposed another balanced budget that invests in education, healthcare, and communities.
Rep. Hammond said the $1 billion estimate could be used to address challenges in DCFS or workforce shortages in nursing homes.
The report says in 2020, the health care benefits for immigrant seniors program exceeded appropriation in the first month of it being effect.
[ad_2]
Source link
