The Graham – Cassidy – Heller – Johnson ACA Repeal Proposal

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Sept. 21 -- The Illinois Hospital Association issued the following news release:

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association opposes the latest Senate proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would do great harm to patients, hospitals, the healthcare delivery system, and our state budget and economy. The Graham - Cassidy - Heller - Johnson bill is even more damaging than the previo us Senate and House repeal proposals . N ot only will it result in the loss of health care coverage for up to one million Illinoisans , but it will erode key protections for patients and consumers and will cut federal healthcare resources to Illinois by mor e than $150 Billion.

IHA also opposes changing Medicaid to a capped funding model. Illinois already ranks 50th in the country in federal funding support per Medicaid beneficiary. Capped funding would lock Illinois into low, insufficient federal fundin g levels and shift costs to the state.

Illinois cannot absorb additional financial burdens that would be imposed on the state and would be forced to reduce eligibility, covered services, and payments to providers. The magnitude of these cuts and chang es to Medicaid is staggering.

We were encouraged by recent bi - partisan negotiations to stabilize the individual marketplace. The Graham - Cassidy - Heller - Johnson bill will do nothing in the short or long term to create marketplace stability.

We urge the Senate to reject this proposal , and we implore the members of the Illinois House Delegation to oppose the bill if it passes the Senate. There is a great deal at stake for the health and well - being of the people of Illinois.