In December 2020, Illinois expanded Medicaid to provide health coverage to immigrant adults ages 65 and older. Now, another expansion offers health care benefits to low-income immigrants ages 55 to 64 starting May 1. LatinoVoicesWTTW
Dr. Yolanda Escalona, medical director of Cook County Health’s Arlington Heights clinic, says the expansion was necessary to help protect the health of a very vulnerable population.“These are older patients who come from other countries, who are really dependent on their children, and a lot of them are afraid that they can afford health care nor do they want to be a burden to their children. So they will stay home and will ignore their care,” Escalona said.
While Escalona cautions that there are some significant limitations on the program — home health care, rehabilitation care, and long-term nursing are not covered under this program – she said she hopes this expansion will encourage people suffering from health problems to seek care without fear of cost.
“Without this coverage my patients will come in with end stage health conditions, advanced problems, and if they just had the healthcare coverage, they wouldn’t be afraid to come in sooner,” she said. “So that’s why as a primary care provider who believes in prevention, this really helps me and helps my patients to be comfortable to seek that care.”
Cook County Cook County Health representatives say they are strongly advocating for further lowering the age threshold for coverage, as well., or apply in person at any Cook County Health location.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
4 Reasons You May Never Feel HappyIdentifying the behaviors that are keeping you stuck is the first step to greater satisfaction and well-being
Read more »
Investing May Be Getting Too Complex for Retail Investors — and Even Professional BrokersAs more cutting-edge investment products enter the marketplace, there’s growing fear retail investors and professional brokers are getting in over their heads.
Read more »
COVID-19 Asylum Limits At US-Mexico Border To End May 23The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that it is ending a policy that limited asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Read more »
COVID-19 asylum limits at US-Mexico border to end May 23The Centers for Disease Control announced Friday that it is ending a policy that limited asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Read more »
COVID-19 asylum limits at US-Mexico border to end May 23The limits went into effect under President Donald Trump in March 2020. Since then, migrants trying to enter the U.S. have been turned away more than 1.7 million times.
Read more »
COVID-19 asylum limits at US-Mexico border to end May 23BREAKING: The Centers for Disease Control announced Friday that it is ending a policy that limited asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Read more »