Category Archives: Uncategorized

National and Local Updates

February 26, 2025

Thank you to everyone who took action yesterday by calling various Illinois members of the U.S. House of Representatives to advocate against the budget resolution that could involve cuts to the Medicaid program.

Below is an update on the U.S. House vote on the budget resolution, as well as an update on the local situation with Health Alliance.

U.S. House Vote on Budget Resolution
Unfortunately, the U.S. House voted to pass the Budget Resolution containing massive cuts in government spending. The Republicans narrowly voted to adopt the resolution by a vote of 217-215, with only one Republican House member voting against it – Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

What does this mean for the Medicaid program? Well, the way the Resolution was written does not specify the programs that will be cut – that is still to be determined. The Resolution requires that various committees will have to come up with the programs to be cut to meet the requirements of the resolution.

My personal belief is that the programs were not specified within the Resolution in order to provide “cover” for getting Republican House members to vote “yes”, given the massive opposition to Medicaid cuts. But we do know that discussions have already targeted the Medicaid program, and food programs. Just because Medicaid is not named in the Resolution does not mean that it is not in the crosshairs of House cost-cutting measures.

What’s ahead? There is a legislative and budgeting process ahead that will involve reconciling the House Resolution with the Senate’s budget. CCHCC will be keeping a close eye on this process and will inform our community about the process and opportunities to take action. We will be part of a nation-wide advocacy effort to protect the programs that are vital to the health and lives of residents of the United States – especially those who are the most vulnerable.

READ ON!

URGENT – Take Action TODAY to save Medicaid!

February 25, 2025

I won’t sugarcoat this – we need your help immediately in order to try to save the Medicaid program. If you can, please make these phone calls TODAY, before 5 p.m.
 
The House is set to vote on their budget resolution today, which includes massive cuts to Medicaid. Hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans will lose their access to healthcare if this budget resolution passes. Help us flood Rep. Bost, LaHood, and Miller’s phones TODAY to say NO to this budget resolution, and NO to Medicaid cuts! Use the phone numbers and sample language below to get started.
 
Please call as many of these Representatives as possible! Also, please share this message with other people so that they can help make calls as well. CCHCC will provide updates on an ongoing basis.

READ ON!

It is Open Enrollment Season for Medicare and Marketplace!

November 21, 2024

Medicare and Marketplace Open Enrollment Periods are going on right now!

Do you need help enrolling in health insurance, or checking the plans you are on? CCHCC is here to help!

Health insurance enrollment – We’ve got you covered! Health insurance enrollment work requires increasingly specialized knowledge and skills – whether for Medicare, or for the ACA Marketplace and Medicaid. Our federally-certified staff are the most experienced enrollment counselors in our community. This means that anyone – young or old or in between; employed or unemployed; retired; low-income, middle-income, high income, or no income; currently insured or uninsured – can contact CCHCC and we will help them figure out what coverage is available to them, and we will help them get covered!

Our services are provided for free to community members. With your support, CCHCC can provide free, vital direct services to keep our community covered.

Please read on to learn how to get an appointment with a CCHCC staff member, and to learn more about Medicare and Marketplace Open Enrollments.

Good News for Open Enrollment Season for Medicare and Marketplace! Insurance is more affordable.

September 2024

Medicare and Marketplace Open Enrollment Periods are right around the corner! And there is good news: changes have been made to make health insurance more affordable, and to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Champaign County Health Care Consumers (CCHCC) is here to help you with Open Enrollment!

CCHCC staff are the most experienced enrollment counselors in Champaign County for Medicare, ACA Marketplace, and Medicaid insurance plans. Our services are provided for free to community members. With your support, CCHCC can provide free, vital direct services to keep our community covered.

Health insurance enrollment – We’ve got you covered! Health insurance enrollment work requires increasingly specialized knowledge and skills – whether for Medicare, or for the ACA Marketplace and Medicaid. Our federally-certified staff are the most experienced enrollment counselors in our community. This means that anyone – young or old or in between; employed or unemployed; retired; low-income, middle-income, high income, or no income; currently insured or uninsured – can contact CCHCC and we will help them figure out what coverage is available to them, and we will help them get covered!

Medicare Open Enrollment – from October 15 through December 7. If you would like to change your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D prescription drug plan, you will have the opportunity to change for the 2025 plan year, starting October 15, until December 7, 2024. CCHCC staff can help you compare plans and complete those enrollments. Even if you already like your plan, it is important to review it carefully during Open Enrollment to make sure it will remain the same for the following year and will continue to cover your prescriptions and providers.

SUPPORT CCHCC!

READ ON!

Thursday 2/29 – Community Speaker Series – Hope Village

March 27, 2024

Champaign County Health Care Consumers would you like to invite you to attend an event this week, on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m., at the Urbana Free Library on the topic of Hope Village.
 
The UIUC Humanities Research Institute is hosting a Community Speakers Series with the topic for Thursday focusing on Hope Village.
 
The event is free and open to the public. The information for the event is at the link immediately below, as well as in the text below:
https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/6807/33472274
 
Event: Community Speaker Series – Hope Village Project
 
Featuring
:
 
Dr. Wanda E. Ward, Executive Associate Chancellor for Public Engagement, UIUC
 
Claudia Lennhoff, Executive Director, CCHCC
 
Moderated by Antoinette Burton, HRI Director and Professor of History
 
Date and Time: Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 7 p.m.
 
Location:  Urbana Free Library, Lewis Auditorium
 
About Hope Village: Hope Village is a unique small homes community that will offer housing solutions for adult community members experiencing chronic homelessness and who are medically fragile.
 
To learn more about the UIUC Humanities Research Institute, you can visit the link below:
https://hri.illinois.edu/
 
We hope to see you there!