Illinois 🇺🇸 is facing one of its most important changes in health care for immigrants, as the state government prepares to end a large program that provided benefits to thousands of people. This decision, announced by Governor J.B. Pritzker earlier this year, will take away health coverage from tens of thousands of low-income immigrants starting July 1, 2025. The plan is part of a new budget aimed at dealing with costs that have grown much higher than expected. As the state moves toward this change, many groups are speaking out against the cuts, and affected immigrants are being told to prepare for big changes.
What Is Happening With Immigrant Health Benefits?
Since 2021, Illinois 🇺🇸 has offered the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program. This program gave state-funded health insurance to immigrants between the ages of 42 and 64 who could not get regular Medicaid because of their immigration status. Some examples include immigrants who are undocumented or those who are living in the United States 🇺🇸 legally but don’t meet certain waiting requirements for Medicaid.
This health care program was important because it helped people who could not qualify for other insurance. As of June 30, 2025, the HBIA program will end, and coverage will stop for everyone in that age group under this specific program. Illinois 🇺🇸 will, however, keep its Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program, which helps those aged 65 and older.
How Many People Are Affected?
Right now, almost 33,000 people in Illinois 🇺🇸 are enrolled in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program. All of these individuals will lose their coverage on July 1, 2025. At its highest point in 2023, the combined number of people enrolled in all health care programs for noncitizen adults in Illinois 🇺🇸 was nearly 54,000—much more than officials first thought.
The people losing coverage are part of a group that often has no other place to turn for health care. Many are working, paying taxes, and raising families across Illinois 🇺🇸, but because of their immigration status, they cannot get Medicaid or many employer-based insurance plans. Some are legal residents who have not met time-in-country requirements, while others are undocumented.
Why Is Illinois 🇺🇸 Making This Change Now?
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests the main reason behind cutting the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program comes down to money. The program cost much more than lawmakers expected. When Illinois 🇺🇸 started these health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, state leaders wanted to help people who had played a big part in keeping society running during the crisis. But the price of covering thousands of new people became a major issue.
Let’s look at the numbers. For the older age group (55–64 years old), officials estimated the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) would cost about $58.4 million in its first three years. In reality, it cost $262.2 million—almost three times more than expected. For all adult noncitizen health programs combined, spending reached about $1.6 billion by the summer of 2024.
Another problem surfaced during audits. Over 6,000 enrollees in the immigrant programs had Social Security numbers, which means they might have been able to get Medicaid or private insurance through other means. This suggests the demand for health benefits was not only huge, but the process for checking if someone was qualified also faced challenges.
Governor J.B. Pritzker addressed the issue at a news conference in February. He said, “There are an awful lot of people out there who need coverage… And I think that’s a sad state of affairs in our society.” At the same time, Governor Pritzker and his team say the state does not have enough money to keep up with these programs, especially with new challenges coming from President Trump’s administration, including the risk of federal funds being blocked or losing money over possible trade penalties.
A Divisive Decision: Political Backlash and Community Concerns
The decision to end the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program has caused strong disagreements among lawmakers, advocates, and people affected. Many groups, like the Healthy Illinois Campaign, argue the cuts will leave thousands of hardworking people without needed health care. The Latino Caucus in the state legislature has also criticized the move.
Laurie R Glenn from Healthy Illinois Campaign painted a clear picture of what the cuts mean: “Cutting HBIA would strip nearly 33,000 individuals… disrupting lifesaving treatment plans and delaying access until they reach crisis.”
Community supporters point out that immigrants in Illinois 🇺🇸 make huge contributions:
- In 2021, immigrants in the state contributed more than $54.9 billion in spending power.
- They paid around $8.6 billion in state and local taxes, plus more than $13 billion in federal taxes.
- Even though immigrant health care costs grew, total health spending for these groups has been less than half of one percent of all state spending.
Still, for now, it looks like Governor Pritzker’s plan will move forward, as there are few signs officials will change course before the new budget is approved.
What Will Happen To People Losing Coverage?
People enrolled in Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults are already getting letters telling them when their coverage will end. The state is sending these warnings at least three months ahead of the cutoff date, so everyone has some time to plan. The last notices will go out in mid-June, just before the end on July 1, 2025.
What choices do people have after they lose this insurance?
- Some will be eligible for health coverage through a job or through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, which allows people to buy insurance plans. In many cases, losing insurance through the state will let them sign up for new coverage through the ACA during a “special enrollment period.”
- However, for many, these options are not as good. Health insurance costs can be high. The process for applying can also be confusing, especially for people who do not speak English well or are not comfortable using computers or smartphones.
- Older adults and those with serious health needs could struggle the most, as figuring out new insurance can be very difficult.
For those who can’t get other insurance, some safety nets remain:
- Hospitals must still provide emergency care, no matter a person’s immigration status. This is sometimes called “federally matchable emergency services.”
- Some hospitals and clinics offer financial help to people with low incomes.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), free clinics, and some nonprofit health centers will still see people, regardless of whether they can pay or their immigration status.
Public agencies and advocacy organizations are urging affected people to use resources like the Illinois Free Clinics website or IPHCA’s health center locator to find care.
What Does This Mean For Illinois 🇺🇸 And The Country?
The cuts to Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults in Illinois 🇺🇸 come after a few years of bold experiments in making health care available, regardless of whether someone has legal status in the country. When Illinois 🇺🇸 rolled out these programs during COVID-19, other states and national leaders watched closely.
Now, the sudden end of the program raises big questions:
- Can any state afford to cover health insurance for large immigrant groups without extra money from the federal government?
- How can state leaders make sure the right people get enrolled and avoid giving benefits to people who do not qualify?
- What happens to people when coverage suddenly stops, especially those in the middle of cancer treatment or with other serious health needs?
National political pressures are making things even harder. President Trump has taken steps to stop federal money from going to states with “sanctuary” policies, which support immigrants. Just this March, there have been new attempts to block hundreds of millions of extra dollars from reaching such states. These moves make it even riskier for states like Illinois 🇺🇸 to promise extra benefits to residents who aren’t eligible under federal law.
Advocates say the cuts will force families to share the burden. “Our communities should not bear the cost… pushing immigrant families off this cliff,” said the Healthy Illinois Campaign.
Illinois’s 🇺🇸 experience is a lesson for other states, showing both the need for health care among immigrants and the challenges of paying for large government programs without extra federal help.
What Should You Do If You Are Affected?
If you rely on the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults or Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (for those 65 and older), now is the time to act. Here’s what you can do:
- Check your mail often, especially during April, May, and June. You will get official letters about when your coverage ends.
- If you have an immigrant relative on these programs, talk with them about the change and help them look for new options.
- Ask for advice about buying health insurance through the ACA Marketplace. Even if the price seems high, it’s worth checking before your coverage ends.
- Use web tools like the Illinois Free Clinics website and IPHCA’s locator to find clinics that help people, regardless of their status.
- Get in touch with local nonprofits or advocacy organizations. They may guide you and help you talk with your lawmaker about your situation.
Keep up to date with the news. Changes could still happen before the budget becomes final, but for now everyone should plan as if the program will end on July 1, 2025. You can always find the official forms and resources for healthcare coverage options at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Looking Ahead: The Big Picture
The story of Illinois 🇺🇸 and its Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program is about more than just numbers in a budget. It’s about the real lives of almost 33,000 people who depend on the coverage for check-ups, regular medications, and care when they are sick. It’s also about how hard it is for states to manage programs that are expensive but also needed.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has said he believes in the importance of health care for all but also must make difficult choices as the state deals with financial limits. His administration continues the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program for those 65 and older, but people between 42 and 64 will soon fall through the cracks.
For lawmakers, the debate continues: Should Illinois 🇺🇸 keep programs that help immigrants, or are they too costly for a state budget? For the people affected, the next few months will require planning, tough decisions, and help from the community.
Summary and Next Steps
As Illinois 🇺🇸 prepares to end the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program, thousands will be looking for new ways to stay healthy. If you are affected, remember to:
- Watch your mail for official notices.
- Explore your options with the ACA Marketplace, even if costs seem high.
- Seek free and sliding-fee clinics using online locators.
- Stay connected with local groups for support and updates.
For those wanting to learn more or follow the latest updates on immigration programs in Illinois 🇺🇸, resources like the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services provide useful and official information.
Illinois’s 🇺🇸 move will continue to get attention from advocates, lawmakers, and immigrant communities far beyond the state. The hope is that, in the months ahead, there will be solutions to help those who lose coverage—whether it comes from changes in the law, more federal help, or new ideas from community organizations. For now, the challenge remains real, and the eyes of the country are watching how one state deals with the tough balance between cost and care.
Learn Today
Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) → An Illinois health insurance program for immigrants aged 42–64, not eligible for Medicaid, ending July 2025.
Medicaid → A state and federally funded public health insurance program for low-income people, not accessible to most undocumented immigrants.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace → A federal platform allowing individuals to purchase private health insurance, with some subsidies based on income.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) → Community-based health clinics providing care regardless of patients’ ability to pay or immigration status.
Special Enrollment Period → A window outside regular enrollment allowing individuals to buy health insurance after losing other coverage.
This Article in a Nutshell
Illinois is ending its Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program in July 2025. Nearly 33,000 low-income immigrants will lose coverage, sparking concern. The program’s end is due to soaring costs significantly above predictions. State agencies and advocates advise affected individuals to find new insurance options and support soon.
— By VisaVerge.com
