Gov. JB Pritzker signed off Wednesday on a $42.9 billion budget package that directs billions in federal funds to healthcare entities to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spending plan, approved during last month’s abbreviated spring session, holds mostly level to the budget approved last year. It goes into effect on July 1.
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the enormous role government plays in keeping communities safe and providing the tools people need to build better lives,” Pritzker said in a statement. “I will continue to advocate for a national program to support state and local governments to make up the difference in the revenues that fund vital services like hospitals and salaries for teachers and first responders.”
Healthcare items in the budget include:
- $385 million to provide support to providers of long-term care services, excluding specialized mental health rehabilitation facilities. An additional $50 million will be given to support providers offering long-term care services to disproportionately impacted areas, based on positive COVID-19 cases.
- $150 million to support federally qualified health centers. An additional $40 million will support federally qualified health centers that serve disproportionately impacted areas, based on positive COVID-19 cases.
- $190 million to support ambulance providers, medical assistance providers, excluding specialized mental health rehabilitation facilities.
- $14.6 million to support specialized mental health rehabilitation facilities.
- $30 million for mental health, substance abuse and other counseling services and assistance for individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget also dedicates $19.8 million to nine specific hospitals, which were determined by looking at some of the most Medicaid-dependent providers in the state.
“We prioritized funding for communities that have long suffered disparities and that now have been hardest hit by COVID-19, and focused our resources where the need is greatest,” said House Majority Leader Greg Harris, D-Chicago, a chief negotiator on the plan.
The package passed last month along party lines, with Republicans critical that it relied too heavily on borrowing to offset lost revenue from the pandemic. A separate bill to allow the borrowing of up to $5 billion from the federal government authorized by one of the recent stimulus packages was signed by Pritzker on May 29, according to a statement.
The budget also authorizes $1.5 billion in borrowing between the general revenue fund and other state funds to maintain cash flow throughout the year.
If Congress does not provide funding for states and local governments in the near term, the administration will work with the newly created Legislative Budget Oversight Commission and the General Assembly to “identify solutions for addressing any financial gaps,” the statement noted.
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