Prairie State Wire

The Biden Administration has given the green light to a proposal from Governor JB Pritzker's administration, allowing for an expansion of Illinois' School-Based Health Services program. This initiative aims to secure additional federal matching funds to enhance healthcare services for Medicaid-enrolled students throughout the state, with a particular focus on youth mental health services.

Governor Pritzker emphasized the significance of schools in providing essential services that many families might otherwise find inaccessible. "For many Illinois children, school isn't just a place to learn and build skills—it's also a place where many families can access services that are otherwise unobtainable to them, like behavioral healthcare or occupational therapy," he stated. He expressed gratitude towards the Biden administration and the state's Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) for facilitating this expansion without imposing extra financial burdens on schools.

Theresa Eagleson, Director of HFS, highlighted the importance of schools as venues for delivering health screenings and services, especially in behavioral health. She noted that this approval would make such services accessible to more Medicaid-enrolled children, potentially improving health outcomes across Illinois.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin also voiced his support for the program's expansion. "Providing health care services in schools not only improves physical and mental health for students but promotes academic success," he said. Durbin acknowledged his role in supporting this federal Medicaid approval alongside Governor Pritzker's administration.

With this new approval, Illinois schools will receive increased funding for various covered services provided to all Medicaid-enrolled children. These include behavioral health services, preventive care, physical and occupational therapy, among others under the Medicaid program umbrella. The updated program is anticipated to channel tens of millions more federal Medicaid dollars into Illinois schools annually.

Previously, local education agencies could only claim federal reimbursement for Medicaid-enrolled students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). However, after a policy reversal by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), these benefits have been extended beyond those specific groups.