[The following is a paid advertisement.]

On average, the U.S. spends about $7,100 per individual covered by Medicaid with full benefits. Illinois, though, spends about $5,000 and is among the lowest-paying states—ranking 48th out of the 50 states and Washington D.C.—ahead of only Georgia, South Carolina and Nevada.

Illinois hospitals are asking state lawmakers to invest in Medicaid, which provides health coverage to one in three Illinoisans today compared with one in 10 in 1995. As hospitals are squeezed by rising labor, drug and supply costs, they are facing tough decisions to reduce costs while still serving patients with the highest quality care.

Increasing the General Revenue Fund (GRF) portion of Medicaid hospital rates can help preserve patient access to care. Consider the following:

• GRF funds less than 18% of hospital Medicaid spending.
• Hospitals fund over 22% of hospital Medicaid spending through an almost $2 billion assessment tax they pay.

Increasing the GRF Medicaid hospital rate—for the first time in 28 years—is urgently needed as hospital costs have increased 85% since 1995 and have jumped significantly due to inflation, supply chain disruptions and staffing shortages.

Illinois hospitals are urging legislators to move on a much-needed 10% across-the-board increase to hospital Medicaid base rates. Discover the facts to learn more.