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Financial pressures have forced hospitals to reduce services just so they can continue providing needed healthcare. Price surges across the board—from prescription drugs to supplies and services—have made operating a hospital difficult. Over the past seven years, 68 Illinois hospitals had to cut services, resulting in 1,117 fewer hospital beds for obstetrics, long-term care, mental illness and intensive care units.

Hospitals provide lifesaving care around the clock regardless of their patients’ ability to pay. Local, accessible healthcare is essential, yet hospitals face mounting challenges including increased costs and inadequate reimbursement. H.R. 1—with nearly $1 trillion in federal Medicaid funding cuts—will deepen the pain for many hospitals, especially those serving low-income and uninsured communities.

“It’s the largest cut that’s ever been made to healthcare,” Southern Illinois Healthcare President and CEO John Antes said of H.R. 1 in Crain’s. “And it is largely directed at a lot of the most vulnerable folks.” SIH Harrisburg Medical Center is among nine rural Illinois hospitals at risk of closure due to losses and a high Medicaid payer mix.

Passing House Bill 2371 SA 2 will help offset H.R. 1 cuts by restoring 340B drug discounts required by federal law after years of drugmaker restrictions. 340B helps nonprofit, safety net hospitals care for communities. Vote YES this spring session. Learn more.