HR0802 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0802 LRB100 17771 MST 32949 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On January 1, 2018, President Donald Trump implemented a $1.6 billion cut to the 340B Drug Discount Program, a program which requires drug makers to offer large discounts to safety net hospitals for certain drugs prescribed for Medicare patients; and

WHEREAS, In 2018, Medicaid's Disproportionate Share Hospital program, designed to compensate hospitals that provide a significant amount of medical care for which they do not receive reimbursement, is facing a $2 billion cut to its funding; and

WHEREAS, Safety net hospitals, which provide medical care regardless of an individual's insurance status or ability to pay, are largely dependent on these funds; and

WHEREAS, Illinois receives less federal funds per Medicaid beneficiary than any other state in the U.S and also has one of the lowest Medicaid matching rates in the country; and

WHEREAS, Many Illinois safety net hospitals, which provide essential health services to lower-income individuals who would otherwise lack access to care, will have to scale back services or close entirely due to these program cuts; and

WHEREAS, Safety net hospitals represent almost 20% of all hospitals in Illinois and provide more than 25,000 jobs across the State; and

WHEREAS, These safety net hospitals receive almost 40% of all patients hospitalized for behavioral health conditions such as mental health or substance abuse disorder; and

WHEREAS, Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago is a safety net hospital on the verge of closing due to a lack of federal and State funding; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 24,000 patients visit Roseland's emergency department each year and about 60% of Roseland's total patients are on Medicaid; and

WHEREAS, The closure of Roseland and any other safety net hospital would be damaging to the surrounding communities and to the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Increased access to healthcare leads to better quality of life and lowers financial burdens for both families and communities; and

WHEREAS, The governor, as chief executive officer of the state, has a duty to fight for and protect the rights and health of the citizens he serves; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly urge the federal government, the United States Congress, and the President of the United States to restore the cut funding to the 340B Drug Discount Program and Medicaid's Disproportionate Share Hospital program to protect healthcare for low-income and at-risk populations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we strongly urge the Governor Rauner to protect the health and rights of his most vulnerable citizens by doing whatever is necessary to increase funding to and ensure the survival of safety net hospitals in Illinois such as Roseland Community Hospital; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Governor Rauner, President Donald Trump, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.