Carbondale Reporter

According to a recent report from the Illinois Auditor General, Governor JB Pritzker's administration significantly underestimated both the cost and enrollment figures for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) programs. The total cost since the inception of these programs is over $1.6 billion, with Fiscal Year 2025 projected to add an additional $629 million, bringing the total estimated cost to $2.2 billion.

Governor Pritzker recently proposed ending the HBIA program for undocumented immigrant adults aged 42-64 in his Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. The state has already spent nearly $1 billion on this age group, with actual costs exceeding initial estimates by 282 to 286 percent. However, Pritzker plans to maintain the HBIS program for undocumented immigrants aged 65 and older.

Illinois began expanding healthcare coverage to noncitizen immigrants in December 2020 with HBIS for those aged 65 and above. Subsequent expansions under HBIA covered immigrants aged between 55-64 in May 2022 and those aged between 42-54 starting July 2022.

In response to the audit findings, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie expressed concern about the financial burden placed on taxpayers due to these programs. "House Republicans warned about the costly expansion of this program when it was first exposed last year," McCombie stated. "We could not afford it then, and we cannot afford it now."

Representative Paul Jacobs also called for an immediate end to these programs citing their high costs amid a state budget deficit: “The audit findings are shocking, and I call on the State to immediately end this massively expensive program.”

On another note, House Republicans have introduced a legislative package aimed at providing relief for working families in Illinois. This includes measures such as eliminating startup fees for new businesses and offering tax credits through initiatives like the Reinvest in Future Technical Careers Act (HB 1729). These efforts aim to address workforce shortages in trades and manufacturing sectors by promoting educational opportunities.

Deputy Minority Leader Norine Hammond criticized Democratic spending policies while emphasizing that House Republicans will oppose any tax increases during ongoing budget negotiations.

Health Alliance made a health care announcement on February 26 regarding its approximately 600 employees based mainly around Champaign-Urbana headquarters.

Separately, former Governor Jim Edgar shared that he has begun treatment for a serious illness and expressed gratitude for well-wishes received from Illinois residents.