[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Medicaid covers about 40% of births in Illinois. Low reimbursement from the state’s largest insurer has contributed to difficult decisions by some hospitals to discontinue obstetric (OB) services. While hospitals have come up with creative solutions to continue providing care, the closures mean patients must travel farther for some prenatal services and delivery.

Hospitals across Illinois are confronting tough choices as increasing labor, drug and supply costs put pressures on their ability to care for their communities. With 3.6 million Illinoisans covered by Medicaid, hospitals are further strained by the shortfall between the cost to provide care and Medicaid reimbursement—at about 80% of a hospital’s costs.

Senate Bill 1763 can help hospitals serve their communities while helping patients reach optimal health. SB 1763 would, among other provisions:

• Increase by 20% hospital Medicaid base rates across-the-board.
• Double the current Safety Net Hospital add-on payment to provide added consideration for the hospitals serving vulnerable communities.
• Institute an annual inflation update to prevent future Medicaid underfunding and assure equitable access to hospital services.

Illinois Medicaid is one of the most underfunded in the U.S., ranking 48th in spending. Pass SB 1763 for the first GRF Medicaid hospital rate increase in 28 years. Discover the facts to learn more.