Illinois healthcare organization provide policy recommendations to address new coronavirus

A coalition of healthcare organizations has asked Gov. JB Pritzker to implement several policies to mitigate the new coronavirus pandemic.

A letter sent last week by Protect Our Care Illinois recommends 19 different policies, including boosting testing capacity, suspending Medicaid redeterminations through May and eliminating certain requirements for telehealth services in the Medicaid program. They are also calling for additional attention to support high-risk populations and ensure equity in the state’s response to the virus.

“This is an unprecedented time and we must all band together to overcome the challenges we face,” the letter said. “These policies represent a step towards coming together as a state to mitigate these difficulties and look after one another.”

Pritzker announced over the weekend that his administration would file a federal Medicaid waiver to tap into the increased flexibilities available to the program after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday.

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