Springfield, IL — Today, Protect Our Care Illinois (POCIL) sent a letter to the Governor’s Office urging state leaders to act during the upcoming legislative session to protect healthcare coverage for Illinoisans and mitigate the severe harms of federal cuts included in H.R. 1.

H.R. 1 represents a sweeping attack on the very foundation of Medicaid and SNAP, breaking the federal promise of care and coverage for the most vulnerable people in our communities. These devastating cuts are being used to finance tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and to support unlawful and dangerous immigration tactics—choices that are already harming families and communities across Illinois and the nation.

Illinois cannot easily replace the billions of dollars in lost federal funding with state dollars alone. That reality makes it even more critical for state leaders to put bold solutions on the table. Protect Our Care Illinois is calling on the Governor and General Assembly to pursue fair, non-regressive revenue options to protect healthcare coverage and invest in health-related social needs.

By prioritizing funding for these essential services and raising revenue fairly, Illinois can ensure that communities continue to support one another—and that H.R. 1 is not used as a justification for harmful cuts at the state level.

Protect Our Care Illinois urges the Governor to release a budget that prioritizes the health and safety of all Illinoisans, and calls on the General Assembly to deliver the revenue needed to keep these promises.