Chicago — During the administration’s daily press briefing on the
state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Governor JB Pritzker announced
that his administration will file a federal waiver to expand Medicaid coverage
as COVID-19 continues to spread and affect the daily lives people across the
nation.
“With the federal government’s newly declared state of emergency, under the
Stafford Act my administration is filing a request for a federal waiver to
allow our Medicaid program to more freely respond to the COVID-19 crisis by
expanding medical services,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “During
this crisis my administration is working to ensure that those who fear that
they may be getting sick have access to the testing and treatment that they
need without being saddled with costly medical bills for their care.”
Building on the state’s earlier measures to help working families through the
expansion of unemployment insurance and calls for utilities to halt shut-offs
and late payment fees, the Pritzker administration started working on the
waiver application as soon as the federal government declared a national
emergency and activated the Stafford Act.
If the federal waiver is approved, the state will be able to expand Medicaid
services through the addition of new medical providers, increased access across
the state and ramped up services to many of the state’s most vulnerable
populations.
The state of Illinois continues to use every tool at its disposal to minimize
the spread of COVID-19 and protect the general public — including banning mass
gatherings, closing schools and strongly encouraging social distancing
practices.
Those experiencing symptoms should call a health care provider who will help
arrange medical treatment without putting others at risk of exposure.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has a statewide COVID-19 hotline and
website to answer any questions from the public or to report a suspected case:
call 1-800-889-3931 or visit IDPH.illinois.gov.
