Prairie State Wire

The state’s Medicaid system coverage will expand now that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed the Medicaid omnibus bill.

The governor signed the measure during a visit to the Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.  Pritzker proudly detailed the significance of the bill.

“I’m here today to emphasize the importance of having a health care system that serves everyone no matter their circumstances, their skin color, their zip code, their language,” he said. “Today I’m signing into law a legislation that will make health care more accessible and affordable for all Illinoisans.”

Senate Bill 2294, which the governor was pleased to announce had bipartisan and bicameral support, would also assist those with tobacco addiction and would expand mental health resources through the addition of clinical professional counselors.

“I want to take a moment to highlight this because, for all of the naysayers that always seemed to badtalk Illinois, few other states can say that they have an annual commitment shared across both sides of the aisle to hash out how to make health care access for millions of Illinoisans who rely on Medicaid even better,” he said. “And once again they've done it.”

Before he signed the measure, the governor also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to its supporters.

“Thanks to the advocacy of the Latino caucus, this legislation builds on our nation-leading efforts to ensure the health of undocumented people through new coverage of kidney transplant medications, regardless of residency,” Pritzker said. “Health care is a human right. Here in Illinois, we won't stop until everyone can access all aspects of it.”

For people who aren’t yet qualified for Medicaid, Pritzker said he bill, “expands that to help them.” It would also require that “in-patient status be given to anyone in need experiencing opioid overdose, ensuring that lower-income patients aren’t turned away when they need it the most.”

The legislation which took effect immediately after the governor signed it, is Public Act 102-0043, the Illinois Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Act.