Today’s budget address confirms that Governor Pritzker has avoided major cuts to core health care programs — an important and necessary step to protect Illinois families, seniors, people with disabilities, and children. 

But any cuts, no matter how small, or maintaining the status quo is not enough. The Governor’s proposal fails to include a clear, proactive plan to address the serious and growing gaps being created by H.R. 1 and other federal attacks on health care. Without swift and decisive action, Illinois will still face devastating consequences, including loss of coverage, higher costs for families, destabilized hospitals and community clinics, worsening workforce shortages, and deepening health inequities.

This crisis presents Illinois with an imperative to meet this moment. We cannot merely defend what we have, we must adapt and strengthen our system for the future. It is time to put our best and bravest ideas on the table, including non-regressive revenue generation.

Protect Our Care Illinois calls on the General Assembly to advance a budget that meets this moment and guarantees a healthy future for all Illinoisans. Specifically, we demand that legislators:

1. Protect Medicaid eligibility and access to care by minimizing the harm of new barriers such as work requirements, coverage restrictions, and administrative burdens that would push people off coverage.

2. Fill federal funding gaps with sustainable state revenue, ensuring Illinois does not pass federal cuts on to families, providers, and communities.

3. Stabilize hospitals, community health centers, long-term care providers, and the health care workforce, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities that are already under strain.

4. Protect coverage for immigrants and mixed-status families, ensuring that all Illinois residents can access affordable, preventive, and lifesaving care.

5. Preserve and strengthen safety-net programs, including behavioral health, maternal and child health, HIV treatment and prevention, and long-term care services, that are essential to public health and economic stability.

Illinois has long led the nation by investing in health care as a foundation for strong families, thriving communities, and a resilient economy. This moment demands that same leadership. Protecting core programs is essential, but it is only the starting point. Illinois must act boldly to shield residents from federal harm and ensure that everyone can access affordable, high-quality care.