Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois accused the Trump administration of withholding nearly $1.9 billion in federal funds from Illinois state agencies and small businesses. The funds were frozen in a memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget shortly after Trump’s inauguration, but the freeze was rescinded following a federal judge’s ruling. Pritzker warned that over 770,000 Illinoisans may lose Medicaid coverage under a Republican-backed budget resolution that passed the U.S. House.
In response, Pritzker, along with 16 Democratic members of Illinois’ U.S. House and Senate delegations, demanded answers from the White House regarding the withheld funds. The situation remains unresolved despite legal battles and judicial orders. The funding freeze is affecting various programs in Illinois, including those providing assistance for small businesses and affordable energy options.
The Republican budget resolution aims to cut an estimated $880 billion in federal funding for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. In Illinois, over 770,000 people are covered by Medicaid under the expansion program, with the federal government covering 90% of the costs. However, the state has a “trigger law” that would end Medicaid expansion if federal funding decreases. Governor Pritzker expressed concerns about the potential impact on people’s health and well-being if Medicaid expansion is eliminated.
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