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SB 2813

MEDICAID-NO CO-PAYMENTS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Illinois bill eliminates Medicaid co-payments for beneficiaries to improve healthcare access for low-income residents, increasing state program costs.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 2813

Legislative bill overview

SB 2813 would eliminate co-payment requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries in Illinois. The bill removes the financial barriers patients currently face when accessing covered services under the state's Medicaid program. This applies to all or most Medicaid-covered medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health services.

Why is this important

Co-payments can deter low-income individuals from seeking necessary healthcare, potentially worsening health outcomes and increasing emergency room utilization. Removing these barriers could improve preventive care access and health equity for Illinois's most vulnerable populations. However, the fiscal impact on the state budget would be substantial and requires careful evaluation.

Potential points of contention

  • State budget impact: Eliminating co-payments reduces revenue and increases Medicaid expenditures significantly; estimated costs would need legislative scrutiny during budget negotiations
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language doesn't clarify whether all services are included or if certain high-cost services (like emergency care or specialists) would be exempt
  • Work incentive concerns: Some policymakers argue modest co-payments encourage appropriate healthcare utilization and discourage unnecessary services, though evidence on this is mixed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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