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Illinois is on the verge of another dubious distinction – spending the least for Medicaid patients of any state in the country.

Currently, Illinois ranks 44th in the U.S. for Medicaid spending per beneficiary – well below the national average and large states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

The Governor wants to cut Medicaid by $2.7 billion (23%). No other state is considering Medicaid cuts of that magnitude in such a short period of time.

Such drastic cuts will jeopardize access to quality health care for everyone – not just Medicaid beneficiaries – and people will suffer.

Blunt Medicaid cuts will mean hospitals – one in three in Illinois are already losing money – will have to reduce or eliminate services, lay off staff, or even close.

The Illinois Hospital Association and hospital community understand the state’s budget challenges are significant. We have offered a comprehensive list of workable alternatives to generate substantial savings and new revenues for Medicaid, totaling up to $1.4 billion. Hospitals are firmly committed to working with the General Assembly on solutions to help address the state’s budget challenges and ensure we maintain a sustainable health care delivery system for the people of Illinois.

Learn more at www.ProtectIllinoisHealthCare.org.