Latest news with #CookCountyHealth
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cook County Health braces for $110M budget hit as state eyes immigrant healthcare cuts
The Brief Cook County could lose $110 million in state funding under a proposal to cut health care for undocumented immigrants. Latino lawmakers are urging the governor to reconsider, warning the cuts could cost lives. Cook County Health officials say they will continue providing care, but expect a heavier strain on emergency services. CHICAGO - Cook County is preparing for a $110 million hit to its budget if the state follows through with the governor's proposed plans. The state's Latino Caucus is urging the governor to reconsider. What we know Cook County Health and Hospitals CEO Erik Mikaitis says the hospital will treat undocumented immigrants—insurance or not. "While we were fortunate to have the funding for this care that we were providing, it's baked into our mission," Mikaitis said. "We are going to continue to care for these populations." Mikaitis says the lack of coverage means the undocumented population would likely forgo preventative care—putting a strain on hospitals like Cook County when they come to the emergency room with advanced diseases. "As people lose coverage we're going to potentially see, instead of managing high blood pressure and diabetes, we're seeing strokes and heart attacks," Mikaitis said. The other side C.D. Davidsmeyer and Illinois Republicans say they're glad Governor JB Pritzker got the message that the state could no longer afford the care, and say it has cost upwards of $2 billion to this point. "These things—we cannot afford. We're failing on services for developmentally disabled," Davidsmeyer said. "We're barely making progress on that while we're making promises and finding housing for individuals who came here illegally." Dig deeper State Sen. Graciela Guzman and other members of the Legislative Latino Caucus are pressuring the governor to reconsider. Guzman says canceling the program could mean life or death for many. "We know this is life-saving care and people will die if we don't find a way to negotiate in good faith with the governor's office and Health and Family Services," Guzman said. Guzman says continuing the program is good for the economy—as undocumented immigrants perform difficult labor and contribute to the tax base. "They work jobs that are hard, they are taxing on the body, and it's one of the reasons that health benefits with immigrants is not just a life-saving program but essential to keeping our workers working," Guzman said. What's next The governor and Democrats have proposed continuing the program for seniors over the age of 65. Meanwhile, Cook County Health's CEO says he will make up the $110 million through cuts and will present a budget proposal to the County Board in June. The Source FOX 32's Paris Schutz reported on this story.
Chicago Tribune
01-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: What slashing Medicaid would do to health care in Cook County
Medicaid is a crucial public health program in the United States, providing essential health care services to millions of low-income families, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and individuals with disabilities. As Cook County commissioner, I know the importance of prioritizing health care access, recognizing its pivotal role in public health. Cook County Health, a trailblazer in health care regardless of financial ability, has served our community for over 180 years, and a substantial portion of our patient population relies on Medicaid. I convened public hearings on maternal health and secured funding for the inaugural Cook County Health doula program, aiming to reframe the narrative on maternal health in Cook County and address disparities for our pregnant mothers. However, the GOP's looming Medicaid cuts pose a significant threat to health care. These cuts could reduce access to medical services, strain health care providers, and burden state and county budgets. They would disproportionately affect low-income families, the elderly and individuals with disabilities, who heavily rely on Medicaid. Reduced funding could diminish Medicaid eligibility and access to essential medical services. Furthermore, these cuts would eliminate or reduce preventive care programs, leading to long-term health complications due to delayed detection and treatment. Hospitals and clinics serving a substantial portion of Medicaid patients may face financial challenges, resulting in staff reductions, decreased services and even facility closures. I understand the concerns of Illinois patients regarding losing coverage, especially if hospitals in low-income areas are forced to close or reduce services. Health care advocates argue that such cuts could ultimately cost everyone more in the long run. Limited resources may compromise care quality, leading to longer wait times and reduced patient satisfaction. Medicaid cuts exacerbate health outcomes, causing individuals to forgo necessary medical treatments due to cost or lack of coverage. In the long term, the absence of preventive and basic care can lead to more severe health issues and increased health care costs. Cook County Health could potentially lose $200 million annually in reimbursements if our patient population were to lose Medicaid coverage. Medicaid cuts would have far-reaching implications for individuals, health care providers, state and county budgets, and overall public health. Policymakers must carefully consider these consequences when making decisions about Medicaid funding. This is precisely the reason why I firmly oppose cuts to Medicaid. — Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, 6th District Threat to transit is real Regarding the editorial 'Chicago's transit agencies want you to panic. They don't explain the whole truth' (April 27): Warning riders and lawmakers about an impending fiscal cliff isn't 'panic-stoking' — it's responsible leadership. Without immediate action this spring, Chicagoland faces devastating transit cuts that would gut service, strand riders and devastate our economy. Unfortunately, the editorial minimizes the urgent reality facing our region. Public transit in the Chicago region is at a crossroads. We are here because Illinois has undervalued and underfunded transit for decades — despite the essential role the CTA, Metra and Pace play in providing an average of 1.2 million rides a day that connect people to jobs, education and health care. Illinois contributes just 17% to transit operations, far behind peer states like New York (28%), Boston (44%) and Philadelphia (50%). When the Regional Transportation Authority and other agencies warn of a crisis, it's because the threat is real. A 40% cut to transit service would be catastrophic. It would mean longer wait times, the loss of 24-hour service in Chicago, the elimination of weekend options for suburban riders, higher fares for working families and devastating impacts for our most vulnerable riders. This cut in service would mean $2.6 billion lost from our region's annual gross domestic product, on top of the loss of tens of thousands of jobs — all in just the first year. Advocates, independent experts and residents across the region — who have already sent thousands of letters at — are united behind the call for a $1.5 billion investment to not just stabilize transit but also to strengthen it. An empowered RTA that would deliver more frequent, reliable service and reforms. Independent analysis estimates that this investment will add $2.7 billion to our region's GDP annually and 28,000 jobs in the first year. We are advocating for a future in which the RTA would be accountable for fares, service quality and capital investment — giving riders a better system and taxpayers better results. Shorter waits, more frequent service and a more seamless experience — all backed by a stronger RTA, one empowered to intervene when needed to fix issues riders are facing whether that be ghost buses or implementing a Transit Ambassador pilot to help improve safety. Illinois lawmakers have a clear choice: Listen to the research, to the advocates and, most importantly, to the thousands speaking out to save transit for our region and for our future. — Kirk Dillard, chairman, Regional Transportation Authority Culture, history at risk Culture, heritage, identity and history — these are not luxuries. They are the foundation of our democracy. Illinois has long led the way in preserving and celebrating them, from our iconic Chicago museums to rural libraries and local historical societies across the state. Today, those very institutions are under attack. The federal government has moved to gut funding that supports Illinois Humanities and similar organizations nationwide. These are not bloated bureaucracies — they are community lifelines, hosting after-school programs for underserved kids, amplifying veterans' stories, and bringing artists and scholars into classrooms to spark critical thinking. As chair of the Museums, Culture, Arts, and Entertainment Committee in the Illinois House, I find this moment alarming — not just as a policymaker but also as an Illinoisan who understands the power of public memory. This is not simply about budgets. It is about ideology. One of President Donald Trump's recent executive orders — cynically titled 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History' — threatens to erase narratives deemed 'divisive' or unpatriotic. In practice, it means silencing Black, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized voices. It means replacing honest reckoning with historical whitewashing. It means undermining education to manipulate patriotism for political gain. We have seen this playbook before. Authoritarian regimes have always sought to control culture — because when you silence a museum, you mute a people. When you erase a curriculum, you narrow a generation's understanding of justice. Illinois will not be complicit in that erasure. Our libraries, historic sites and museums are not relics of the past; they are living classrooms. They teach empathy, civic responsibility and critical thought. They drive our economy, create jobs and make Illinois a destination for millions. And they are in danger. We must act. I urge every Illinoisan to contact their federal representatives and demand the restoration of funding to the National Endowment for the Humanities and related programs. Tell them we will not allow our stories — or our democracy — to be rewritten by fear and ideology. This is not a red-state or blue-state issue. It is a question of whether we have the courage to confront the full truth of our shared journey — and to defend the spaces that protect and preserve it. The stakes could not be higher. History does not erase itself. It is erased when good people stay silent. Now is the time to raise our voices — before those who fear the truth silence them for good. — State Rep. Kimberly Neely du Buclet, D-Chicago Yes to upzoning plan Op-ed writer John Holden's attack on the plan to upzone Broadway contains the misleading claim that opposing upzoning is somehow 'environmentally friendly' ('Zoning plan for Broadway a nonstarter,' April 25). This is as far from true as Chicago is from Australia. As an environmental attorney, I know all too well the challenge we face in cutting our greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change. In Illinois, transportation accounts for more carbon dioxide emissions than any other sector. One of the best ways to cut per-capita emissions is to allow more people to move to transit-rich neighborhoods such as Edgewater and Uptown, where car-free and car-lite lifestyles are possible. Unfortunately, zoning rules that prohibit dense new housing across much of Chicago limit the city's growth, pushing potential Chicagoans to car-oriented Sunbelt cities such as Houston. If Chicago is going to be the environmental leader so many of us want it to be, it needs to loosen restrictions on climate-friendly housing. The Broadway upzoning plan is a good start.
CBS News
23-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Cook County Health, NAMI Chicago launch countywide mental health support campaign
It could soon get easier to receive mental health support in Cook County. Cook County Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago are kicking off a multi-year initiative to expand efforts to increase access to mental health support across the county. The program involves a new text and chat support line — aimed at helping younger people who prefer digital communication. The county also plans to host peer-led recovery groups, and is launching a countywide awareness campaign to reduce stigma and encourage more people to take the first step toward support. The effort will also launch a countywide public awareness campaign to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help. "Mental health is health. Yet far too many of our neighbors still face barriers to care," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a news release. "By investing in NAMI Chicago's Helpline, peer support programs, and awareness efforts, we're building a more responsive, compassionate system—one that meets people where they are and affirms that no one in Cook County should have to face their mental health journey alone."
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cook County explores Planned Parenthood partnership in Englewood
With Englewood's Planned Parenthood clinic set to shut its doors late next month, Cook County officials hope to figure out how to save the South Side center, which serves thousands of patients seeking reproductive care. 'It is, we believe, a deeply needed service, especially in that area, and we are going to see what we can figure out,' Cook County Health CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis told reporters earlier this month. Citing a 'financial shortfall,' Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced in January that it would close four clinics across the state. Besides Englewood, clinics in Ottawa, Bloomington and Decatur are on the closure list. Illinois, already a haven for reproductive care, saw an influx of out-of-state patients seeking abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The increase in patients, 'coupled with low reimbursement rates from insurers and rising costs of providing care,' helped contribute to the organization's shortfall, Planned Parenthood said in a previous statement. A partnership with the county could help maintain care for thousands of Englewood patients while potentially bringing new patients into Cook County Health and its Medicaid managed care insurance program, CountyCare. The need is especially acute in Englewood, where HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, infant mortality and the teen birth rate are higher than the city average. But at this stage, officials with the county and Planned Parenthood aren't sure what form a partnership would take: a direct grant, merger, or the county overseeing operations. A follow-up meeting with leaders from both organizations is planned after the Presidents Day holiday. It's also unclear whether Planned Parenthood would maintain the same location. CCH already operates its own Englewood Health Center roughly two miles north of the Planned Parenthood clinic. That center offers primary care, reproductive health services like birth control prescriptions, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment and family planning education. Planned Parenthood's Cristina Villareal told the Tribune 'we're still in early conversations and looking at all options. I think there's the immediate need of wanting to keep staff in place and stay open, and then I think there's an opportunity to really partner in new ways in the future and create this model that's different… we also know that we need to kind of move quickly.' 'We have not done anything like this before; we're looking to see if there are other models like this,' Villareal said. 'It's different, but the times are different. This is a unique time with so many insecurities on a national level, with a higher, increased cost of health centers. And so it's a perfect time to be innovative and creative and try something new.' Among those insecurities: potential cancellation of the FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. President Donald Trump has already signed orders ending funding for international aid organizations that 'perform or actively promote' abortion and taxpayer funding for American programs that promote elective abortions. House Republicans also are exploring significant cuts to Medicaid, potentially booting millions off of government health insurance coverage for low-income and disabled people. 'We're all going to have to learn to do things differently in a world where there might be less funding available for the health care safety net, so we all have to be better and smarter,' said Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who encouraged CCH to step in. 'If you're a government that relies on federal funding, you have to be looking two steps ahead,' Gainer said. 'The county health system has access to new patients, we don't lose the really important care happening that was incredibly trusted at Planned Parenthood,' and the county can offer additional health care to Planned Parenthood patients and their families. The Englewood clinic dates back 20 years and sees about 4,000 patients a year. It connects pregnant patients to prenatal care, teaches sex education and recently held a community baby shower for expectant parents. The clinic provides 6,000 annual STI tests, about 1,500 birth control visits and gives out free condoms. Planned Parenthood does not disclose abortion numbers for specific clinics, but the Englewood clinic does provide medical abortions, more commonly known as the abortion pill, officials said. Other Planned Parenthood-operated clinics are miles away in the Loop, on the Near North Side and in Far South Side Roseland. When PPIL announced the closures, it said it planned to expand its telehealth offerings to help fill the gap, particularly to offer the abortion pill. Cook County Health offers the abortion pill through the 10th week of pregnancy and surgical abortion procedures at Stroger Hospital through 13 weeks and six days. Villareal estimates it would cost $1.5 million a year to keep open the Englewood location, which the organization hopes to maintain for three years 'to figure out a longer solution.' Cook County Commissioner Michael Scott, whose district includes Englewood, said he's 'very interested in making sure' the clinic stays open. 'In communities of color, we know that there's great health disparities, so anything that resembles health and service within that community is needed.' Only 26% of people living in the neighborhood have employment-based health insurance, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health, compared to 55% citywide. Roughly 50% are covered by Medicaid. Just under 54% of Englewood mothers received early and adequate prenatal care, compared to about 70% citywide. The Planned Parenthood clinic also provides care to sex workers, 'and making sure that they have opportunities to make sure they're being healthy in the work that they do I think is really important.' Scott said. Though there isn't a concrete plan for the partnership, it appears to have broad support, in part because 'it really jibes with the commitment not only of Cook County Health but my colleagues on the board and the president's office to invest in communities which have traditionally been disinvested,' said Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, who is also vice chair of the CCH Board and chair of the county's Health and Hospitals Committee. 'I don't know if a deal will be submitted by March, but I do know there will be meetings and discussion much before (then). We'll see where that leads… The urgency of this is not lost on Cook County Health.'
Chicago Tribune
17-02-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Cook County explores Planned Parenthood partnership in Englewood
With Englewood's Planned Parenthood clinic set to shut its doors late next month, Cook County officials hope to figure out how to save the South Side center, which serves thousands of patients seeking reproductive care. 'It is, we believe, a deeply needed service, especially in that area, and we are going to see what we can figure out,' Cook County Health CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis told reporters earlier this month. Citing a 'financial shortfall,' Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced in January that it would close four clinics across the state. Besides Englewood, clinics in Ottawa, Bloomington and Decatur are on the closure list. Illinois, already a haven for reproductive care, saw an influx of out-of-state patients seeking abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The increase in patients, 'coupled with low reimbursement rates from insurers and rising costs of providing care,' helped contribute to the organization's shortfall, Planned Parenthood said in a previous statement. A partnership with the county could help maintain care for thousands of Englewood patients while potentially bringing new patients into Cook County Health and its Medicaid managed care insurance program, CountyCare. The need is especially acute in Englewood, where HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, infant mortality and the teen birth rate are higher than the city average. But at this stage, officials with the county and Planned Parenthood aren't sure what form a partnership would take: a direct grant, merger, or the county overseeing operations. A follow-up meeting with leaders from both organizations is planned after the Presidents Day holiday. It's also unclear whether Planned Parenthood would maintain the same location. CCH already operates its own Englewood Health Center roughly two miles north of the Planned Parenthood clinic. That center offers primary care, reproductive health services like birth control prescriptions, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment and family planning education. Planned Parenthood's Cristina Villareal told the Tribune 'we're still in early conversations and looking at all options. I think there's the immediate need of wanting to keep staff in place and stay open, and then I think there's an opportunity to really partner in new ways in the future and create this model that's different… we also know that we need to kind of move quickly.' 'We have not done anything like this before; we're looking to see if there are other models like this,' Villareal said. 'It's different, but the times are different. This is a unique time with so many insecurities on a national level, with a higher, increased cost of health centers. And so it's a perfect time to be innovative and creative and try something new.' Among those insecurities: potential cancellation of the FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. President Donald Trump has already signed orders ending funding for international aid organizations that 'perform or actively promote' abortion and taxpayer funding for American programs that promote elective abortions. House Republicans also are exploring significant cuts to Medicaid, potentially booting millions off of government health insurance coverage for low-income and disabled people. 'We're all going to have to learn to do things differently in a world where there might be less funding available for the health care safety net, so we all have to be better and smarter,' said Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who encouraged CCH to step in. 'If you're a government that relies on federal funding, you have to be looking two steps ahead,' Gainer said. 'The county health system has access to new patients, we don't lose the really important care happening that was incredibly trusted at Planned Parenthood,' and the county can offer additional health care to Planned Parenthood patients and their families. The Englewood clinic dates back 20 years and sees about 4,000 patients a year. It connects pregnant patients to prenatal care, teaches sex education and recently held a community baby shower for expectant parents. The clinic provides 6,000 annual STI tests, about 1,500 birth control visits and gives out free condoms. Planned Parenthood does not disclose abortion numbers for specific clinics, but the Englewood clinic does provide medical abortions, more commonly known as the abortion pill, officials said. Other Planned Parenthood-operated clinics are miles away in the Loop, on the Near North Side and in Far South Side Roseland. When PPIL announced the closures, it said it planned to expand its telehealth offerings to help fill the gap, particularly to offer the abortion pill. Cook County Health offers the abortion pill through the 10th week of pregnancy and surgical abortion procedures at Stroger Hospital through 13 weeks and six days. Villareal estimates it would cost $1.5 million a year to keep open the Englewood location, which the organization hopes to maintain for three years 'to figure out a longer solution.' Cook County Commissioner Michael Scott, whose district includes Englewood, said he's 'very interested in making sure' the clinic stays open. 'In communities of color, we know that there's great health disparities, so anything that resembles health and service within that community is needed.' Only 26% of people living in the neighborhood have employment-based health insurance, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health, compared to 55% citywide. Roughly 50% are covered by Medicaid. Just under 54% of Englewood mothers received early and adequate prenatal care, compared to about 70% citywide. The Planned Parenthood clinic also provides care to sex workers, 'and making sure that they have opportunities to make sure they're being healthy in the work that they do I think is really important.' Scott said. Though there isn't a concrete plan for the partnership, it appears to have broad support, in part because 'it really jibes with the commitment not only of Cook County Health but my colleagues on the board and the president's office to invest in communities which have traditionally been disinvested,' said Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, who is also vice chair of the CCH Board and chair of the county's Health and Hospitals Committee. 'I don't know if a deal will be submitted by March, but I do know there will be meetings and discussion much before (then). We'll see where that leads… The urgency of this is not lost on Cook County Health.'
