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.
If you would like to read more about yesterday evening’s House vote, and about the various ways that the Congress might be considering changing/cutting Medicaid, you can click on these links:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/budget-resolution-house-vote-mike-johnson-trump-agenda/
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/25/house-budget-republican-agenda-00206125
https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/a-medicaid-per-capita-cap-state-by-state-estimates/
Health Alliance Is Discontinuing Health Insurance Plans
Yesterday was a tough day. Besides the national news, we were also hit with big local news – specifically the announcement that Health Alliance will be discontinuing most of its plans, including employer-based coverage for large and small employers. As of right now, the Medicare Advantage plans are not ending.
CCHCC is directly affected by the Health Alliance news, as are so many others in our community. For many years, we have enjoyed an excellent HMO plan from Health Alliance, and, like many of you, we are sad that this is coming to an end.
We do have some advice to share:
- Don’t panic. You have Health Alliance coverage through December 31, 2025.
- If you have concerns about future coverage, speak to your employer or your HR department. Your employer will most likely be working with an insurance broker to find other insurance companies to provide employer-based coverage. Make sure your employer knows that you would like to maintain continuity of care with your providers, so your employer can work to secure a new health plan that includes your providers in their network.
- If you have health insurance, use it! This is true even if your specific health insurance plan from another company is not going away. The Affordable Care Act requires that health insurance plans cover preventive care, as well as primary and specialty care. Even if nothing is wrong, go and get your check ups! This is always good advice even if your insurance is not changing.
- Stay tuned to the news, and to CCHCC, for updates on this issue.
Here is some of the local news coverage about Health Alliance:
https://www.wcia.com/news/health-alliance-announces-discontinued-plans-at-years-end-medicare-advantage-to-continue/
https://www.news-gazette.com/business/update-carle-cites-challenges-to-operational-and-financial-efficiency-in-decision-to-end-health-alliance/article_512e3140-f3b1-11ef-94eb-233e815e01ef.html
Hang in there!
We know that these are tough and uncertain times, on many fronts. You are not alone. We are a community, and we are part of a national community that is dedicating itself to advocacy and justice. And in terms of the local situation with Health Alliance – while we are losing a health insurer and the plans we have, health insurance as a whole is not going away, and you should not experience a gap in coverage. Employers will work with brokers and will find other companies to provide health insurance for their employees.
Thank you for your activism!
Sincerely,
Claudia Lennhoff
Executive Director
Champaign County Health Care Consumers