The 21st Show

Medicaid Access Issues in Illinois

 
Members of Health Illinois coalition celebrate the extension of state health insurance coverage to older immigrants, ages 55 and over, living in the country illegally, Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The state was the first nationwide to offer a Medicaid-like program for immigrant seniors last year and used this year's budget to expand the program.

Members of Health Illinois coalition celebrate the extension of state health insurance coverage to older immigrants, ages 55 and over, living in the country illegally, Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The state was the first nationwide to offer a Medicaid-like program for immigrant seniors last year and used this year's budget to expand the program.

Medicaid is the government program that ensures health care for America’s poor, elderly and disabled. But the program requires a lot of paperwork for doctors, and a new study suggests that administrative burden can ultimately hurt patients. The 21st was joined by one of the co-author of the study, a professor of medicine and public health science, and a Central Illinois mother whose children use Medicaid as their insurance. 

GUESTS:

Joshua Gottleib

Associate Professor at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy, and co- author on the study

Dr. Elbert Huang

Internal medicine specialist and Professor of Medicine and Public Health Sciences at the University of Chicago

Rebecca Austin

Central Illinois mom whose children use Medicaid as their form of health insurance

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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