• Illinois taxpayers funded health insurance for undocumented immigrants at costs 286% higher than anticipated, with the programs costing the state $1.6 billion since their inception.

• An audit revealed that the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults programs saw higher enrollment and costs, with issues in enrollment accuracy, including 6,098 enrollees with Social Security Numbers.
• Gov. J.B. Pritzker emphasized the need for universal health care and noted that immigration status changes over time, affecting program eligibility.

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Illinois taxpayers funded health insurance for undocumented immigrants in the state at costs much higher than anticipated. A new audit of the state program shows the total cost was 286% higher than estimated in recent years. 

Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino released a report on Wednesday examining Medicaid services and coverage for undocumented immigrants. The state expanded publicly-funded health care for the non-citizens in 2020.

The Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults programs were initially expected to support a total of 33,500 enrollees. In the last fiscal year, the programs saw 69,767 immigrants enrolled. The total cost in the time audited surpassed $897 million in the three years Mautino’s office examined.

The programs have cost the state $1.6 billion since their inception. The report said the three largest costs were for outpatient services, inpatient hospital services, and pharmacy services in the years audited. Yet, a conversion to managed care in fiscal year 2024 made “capitation costs” the most expensive at $265 million.

Auditors also found issues with the enrollment. They found 6,098 enrollees designated as “undocumented” had a Social Security Number, indicating citizenship.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker addressed the report in a news conference at the University of Chicago School of Medicine covered by WGN News. 

“I think the thing that is missing from the reporting is that peoples’ immigration status changes during the course of a year,” he said. “You have people who were eligible for the program who became ineligible for the program.

”People need to get health care. I am in favor of universal health care …People don’t get health care, get treated, when they don’t have a problem.”

The issue of increasing costs for immigrant health care is not limited to Illinois. A California official told the state Assembly Budget Committee on Feb. 10 that the state was paying $9.5 billion for undocumented immigrant health care in the current budget.