Sens. Duckworth, Durbin Announce Grant Funding to Support Quality Care for Medicare, Medicaid Beneficiaries in Chicagoland Region

CHICAGO, May 5 -- The office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a $472,840 federal grant to help a Chicagoland hospital network, AMITA Health, connect Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with appropriate health and social services that can both lower healthcare costs and improve beneficiaries' lives.

"Too many Illinoisans on Medicare and Medicaid aren't able to access the right health and community service providers that fit their needs, which can lead to higher healthcare costs," said Duckworth. "I'm pleased this funding will help Illinoisans access the care they deserve."

"Comprehensive health care extends beyond the hospital doors. It takes a well-rounded approach to ensure that families, children, and seniors are getting the nutrition, exercise, social services, and mental health needed to live a full and healthy life. This funding will make a significant investment to provide high-quality, comprehensive care to more individuals and families in Illinois," said Durbin.

Americans who rely on Medicare and Medicaid often struggle to connect with the social services they need to stay healthy, like affordable housing, accessible transportation and nutritious food sources because they are unaware of the resources available to them. This funding will help address that problem in Cook, Will, Lake, Kane, McHenry and DuPage counties by enabling AMITA Health to assess more high-risk beneficiaries and connect them with appropriate health and social service providers.

This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Accountable Health Communities program, which helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries navigate social services available to them to ensure they get the care and attention they need to stay healthy. AMITA Health, created by Adventist Midwest Health and Alexian Brothers Health System, is the third-largest hospital system in the state with nine hospitals and more than 3,000 physicians.