Rockford Sun

Illinois State House District 67 issued the following announcement on June 16

In an effort to preserve services for Medicaid patients at one of the area's three primary medical providers, State Senator Steve Stadelman and Rep. Maurice West secured $2 million in funding for Mercyhealth when Illinois lawmakers approved a budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.

Javon Bea Hospital is one of nine statewide that are designated to receive $19.8 million from the Illinois Department of Public Health to support care of low-income patients, Stadelman and West announced today. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the budget legislation last week.

Seven of the other hospitals are in Chicago, and one is in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The money is intended to help hospitals with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients and those disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mercyhealth, which operates hospitals on Rockford's northwest and far northeast sides, drew sharp criticism with its announcement in April that an estimated 66,000 patients receiving Medicaid benefits through four Managed Care Organizations would need to find new doctors amid the pandemic as soon as July 21. Mercy also closed its Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Stadelman and West hope the $2 million in operational assistance gives Mercy an incentive to continue its MCO agreements. The funds are reserved for "hospitals that participate in the state's Medicaid managed care program," meaning Mercy would forfeit the money by declining to change its position.

"My desire is to see the most vulnerable in our community enjoy the same continuity of care as those who are more fortunate," Stadelman said. "We fought for Rockford to be included in this funding with the belief that some extra backing from the state may encourage Mercy to look out for low-income families."

Added West, "The last thing that Medicaid patients need is the uncertainty and fear of what is going to happen to their healthcare during a pandemic. The fight for more funds to Mercyhealth is to ensure that healthcare remains accessible to everyone in Rockford, no matter what zip code you live in or your level or income.”

Mercy had 90 days to notify patients of its intent to sever its MCO agreements. Three of them end next month; one remains in effect until October.

Stadelman and West also are advocating for an increase in Medicaid managed care reimbursement rates, which they say are vital to providing access to health care for all citizens of the Rockford region.

Both lawmakers also are working with IDPH and UW Health to accommodate Medicaid patients within the SwedishAmerican health network. IDPH has requested Rapid Response Plans from each MCO, which include a communication to patients and plan for integrating them into a health system within 60 miles or 60 minutes of where they live.

Original source can be found here.