(The Center Square) – The Trump administration’s attempt to trim Medicaid of fraud and waste has prompted action in the Illinois Legislature.
Illinois Democrats in the House of Representative passed a resolution Thursday that calls upon the U.S. Senate to table the health care cuts bill and instead pursue reforms such as the Illinois’ Healthcare Protection Act, which provides taxpayer-funded health care to illegal immigrants.
“The safety nets to protect our neighbors that generations before us fought to put into place are being dismantled before our very eyes,” said state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights. “Today I call on the United States Senate to denounce the Trump health care cuts bill.”
The Trump administration says the changes to Medicaid would expand work requirements, and cut down on waste, fraud and abuse.
“Medicaid is for the vulnerable, it’s not for freeloaders, it’s not for lawbreakers,” said state Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City. “If you’re able-bodied with no kids and you want taxpayer help, here’s a little bit of advice, get a job.”
The legislation includes new work requirements that would apply to childless Medicaid recipients without disabilities between the ages of 19 and 64.
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, found the Democratic resolution amusing.
“I would like to point out some language in the resolution which I find quite entertaining coming from the majority party,” said Windhorst. “The majority party is complaining that Congressional Republicans slammed a bill through the House of Representatives in the middle of the night. Are you serious, right now? We passed our budget last year at 4:30 in the morning.”
The resolution passed along party lines.
The U.S. Senate will soon be considering the massive health care legislation after House Republicans passed it last week.
