Protect Our Care Illinois Urges the IL Congressional Delegation to Withhold Support for Any Funding Bill that Cuts Health and Food Access Programs

Illinois families cannot afford more attacks on their health and well-being. Protect Our Care Illinois urges every member of Illinois’ congressional delegation to withhold support for any funding bill that enacts additional cuts to healthcare or coverage for any Illinois families or fuels attacks on immigrant access to health care.

Further, we call on our congressional delegation to fight for a deal that makes the enhanced Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) permanent and reverses the devastating health care and food access cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1).

Enhanced APTCs have helped more than 20 million people — including more than 400,000 people in Illinois — afford health insurance, saving the average enrollee $700 annually. Without permanent action, premiums will more than double in 2026, leaving millions uninsured and forcing families to choose between coverage, food, and rent.

H.R. 1 slashed funding for Medicaid, Medicare, the Marketplace, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while making  permanent tax breaks for large corporations and the wealthiest individuals. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 10 million people will lose health coverage under H.R. 1. In Illinois, these cuts will devastate maternal health, push rural hospitals closer to closure, increase health costs for all families, and eliminate health care jobs. It is impossible to rectify these cuts through State or philanthropic resources.

Illinoisans want Congress to lower health costs and protect care — not raise premiums, cut coverage, and undermine the wellbeing of our communities. Our delegation must deny their support for any funding bill that fails to protect the health and economic well-being of families across our state.