On May 9, 2022, the Illinois legislature passed health care coverage for adults ages 42-54 regardless of immigration status and can begin enrolling on July 1, 2022. We are so grateful to work with Healthy Illinois to ensure people throughout the state have access to high-quality healthcare.
Last year, the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker expanded access to comprehensive Medicaid-like coverage for low-income adults ages 55 through 64 years old, called the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program, including undocumented adults. HBIA began on March 25, 2022, and includes a three-month retroactive coverage period (beginning no sooner than February 1, 2022).
“If this legislation had not passed, a large population of Illinoisans would not be eligible for health coverage. This would lead to poor health outcomes in these vulnerable communities. It’s estimated that 27,000 people will now be eligible for coverage ages 42-54,” said Kevie Lusby Smyre, EverThrive IL’s Policy and Advocacy Director. “We will continue championing immigrant access to health care for all in Illinois!”
Learn more about the HBIS and HBIA programs – Spanish language version here or the Get Care Illinois page that provides English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Polish information here.