Illinois Leaders Say Federal Rural Hospital Fund Falls Short

MARION  — Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Hospital Association officials warned earlier this month that a new federal law reducing health care subsidies could threaten care in rural areas despite a $50 billion nationwide fund set aside for hospitals. Pritzker said cuts to Medicaid would put lives at risk, while IHA President A.J. Wilhelmi called the rural hospital fund “woefully inadequate,” noting Illinois has 86 small and rural hospitals that make up 38 percent of the state’s total. Vice President J.D. Vance defended the law, saying benefits would be preserved for eligible recipients while excluding undocumented immigrants and those not seeking work.