SB3462 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 20586 KTG 34076 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3462

Introduced 2/5/2026, by Sen. Graciela Guzmán

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/5-2

from Ch. 23, par. 5-2

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands medical assistance coverage to certain categories of lawfully present noncitizens. Sets income guidelines for qualifying persons age 19 through 64 and income guidelines for persons 65 years of age or older. Removes a provision permitting medical assistance coverage for up to 24 continuous months from the initial eligibility date, if otherwise eligible.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Section 5-2 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5-2)

Sec. 5-2. Classes of persons eligible. Medical assistance under this Article shall be available to any of the following classes of persons in respect to whom a plan for coverage has been submitted to the Governor by the Illinois Department and approved by him. If changes made in this Section 5-2 require federal approval, they shall not take effect until such approval has been received:

1. Recipients of basic maintenance grants under Articles III and IV.

2. Beginning January 1, 2014, persons otherwise eligible for basic maintenance under Article III, excluding any eligibility requirements that are inconsistent with any federal law or federal regulation, as interpreted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but who fail to qualify thereunder on the basis of need, and who have insufficient income and resources to meet the costs of necessary medical care, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) All persons otherwise eligible for basic maintenance under Article III but who fail to qualify under that Article on the basis of need and who meet either of the following requirements:

(i) their income, as determined by the Illinois Department in accordance with any federal requirements, is equal to or less than 100% of the federal poverty level; or

(ii) their income, after the deduction of costs incurred for medical care and for other types of remedial care, is equal to or less than 100% of the federal poverty level.

(b) (Blank).

3. (Blank).

4. Persons not eligible under any of the preceding paragraphs who fall sick, are injured, or die, not having sufficient money, property or other resources to meet the costs of necessary medical care or funeral and burial expenses.

5.(a) Beginning January 1, 2020, individuals during pregnancy and during the 12-month period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, together with their infants, whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Until September 30, 2019, or sooner if the maintenance of effort requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are eliminated or may be waived before then, individuals during pregnancy and during the 12-month period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, whose countable monthly income, after the deduction of costs incurred for medical care and for other types of remedial care as specified in administrative rule, is equal to or less than the Medical Assistance-No Grant(C) (MANG(C)) Income Standard in effect on April 1, 2013 as set forth in administrative rule.

(b) The plan for coverage shall provide ambulatory prenatal care to pregnant individuals during a presumptive eligibility period and establish an income eligibility standard that is equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, provided that costs incurred for medical care are not taken into account in determining such income eligibility.

(c) The Illinois Department may conduct a demonstration in at least one county that will provide medical assistance to pregnant individuals together with their infants and children up to one year of age, where the income eligibility standard is set up to 185% of the nonfarm income official poverty line, as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget. The Illinois Department shall seek and obtain necessary authorization provided under federal law to implement such a demonstration. Such demonstration may establish resource standards that are not more restrictive than those established under Article IV of this Code.

6. (a) Subject to federal approval, children younger than age 19 when countable income is at or below 313% of the federal poverty level, as determined by the Department and in accordance with all applicable federal requirements. The Department is authorized to adopt emergency rules to implement the changes made to this paragraph by Public Act 102-43. Until September 30, 2019, or sooner if the maintenance of effort requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are eliminated or may be waived before then, children younger than age 19 whose countable monthly income, after the deduction of costs incurred for medical care and for other types of remedial care as specified in administrative rule, is equal to or less than the Medical Assistance-No Grant(C) (MANG(C)) Income Standard in effect on April 1, 2013 as set forth in administrative rule.

(b) Children and youth who are under temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services or who receive financial assistance in support of an adoption or guardianship placement from the Department of Children and Family Services.

7. (Blank).

8. As required under federal law, persons who are eligible for Transitional Medical Assistance as a result of an increase in earnings or child or spousal support received. The plan for coverage for this class of persons shall:

(a) extend the medical assistance coverage to the extent required by federal law; and

(b) offer persons who have initially received 6 months of the coverage provided in paragraph (a) above, the option of receiving an additional 6 months of coverage, subject to the following:

(i) such coverage shall be pursuant to provisions of the federal Social Security Act;

(ii) such coverage shall include all services covered under Illinois' State Medicaid Plan;

(iii) no premium shall be charged for such coverage; and

(iv) such coverage shall be suspended in the event of a person's failure without good cause to file in a timely fashion reports required for this coverage under the Social Security Act and coverage shall be reinstated upon the filing of such reports if the person remains otherwise eligible.

9. Persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or with AIDS-related conditions with respect to whom there has been a determination that but for home or community-based services such individuals would require the level of care provided in an inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility the cost of which is reimbursed under this Article. Assistance shall be provided to such persons to the maximum extent permitted under Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act.

10. Participants in the long-term care insurance partnership program established under the Illinois Long-Term Care Partnership Program Act who meet the qualifications for protection of resources described in Section 15 of that Act.

11. Persons with disabilities who are employed and eligible for Medicaid, pursuant to Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(xv) of the Social Security Act, and, subject to federal approval, persons with a medically improved disability who are employed and eligible for Medicaid pursuant to Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(xvi) of the Social Security Act, as provided by the Illinois Department by rule. In establishing eligibility standards under this paragraph 11, the Department shall, subject to federal approval:

(a) set the income eligibility standard at not lower than 350% of the federal poverty level;

(b) exempt retirement accounts that the person cannot access without penalty before the age of 59 1/2, and medical savings accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 220;

(c) allow non-exempt assets up to $25,000 as to those assets accumulated during periods of eligibility under this paragraph 11; and

(d) continue to apply subparagraphs (b) and (c) in determining the eligibility of the person under this Article even if the person loses eligibility under this paragraph 11.

12. Subject to federal approval, persons who are eligible for medical assistance coverage under applicable provisions of the federal Social Security Act and the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000. Those eligible persons are defined to include, but not be limited to, the following persons:

(1) persons who have been screened for breast or cervical cancer under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Breast and Cervical Cancer Program established under Title XV of the federal Public Health Service Act in accordance with the requirements of Section 1504 of that Act as administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health; and

(2) persons whose screenings under the above program were funded in whole or in part by funds appropriated to the Illinois Department of Public Health for breast or cervical cancer screening.

"Medical assistance" under this paragraph 12 shall be identical to the benefits provided under the State's approved plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. The Department must request federal approval of the coverage under this paragraph 12 within 30 days after July 3, 2001 (the effective date of Public Act 92-47).

In addition to the persons who are eligible for medical assistance pursuant to subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph 12, and to be paid from funds appropriated to the Department for its medical programs, any uninsured person as defined by the Department in rules residing in Illinois who is younger than 65 years of age, who has been screened for breast and cervical cancer in accordance with standards and procedures adopted by the Department of Public Health for screening, and who is referred to the Department by the Department of Public Health as being in need of treatment for breast or cervical cancer is eligible for medical assistance benefits that are consistent with the benefits provided to those persons described in subparagraphs (1) and (2). Medical assistance coverage for the persons who are eligible under the preceding sentence is not dependent on federal approval, but federal moneys may be used to pay for services provided under that coverage upon federal approval.

13. Subject to appropriation and to federal approval, persons living with HIV/AIDS who are not otherwise eligible under this Article and who qualify for services covered under Section 5-5.04 as provided by the Illinois Department by rule.

14. Subject to the availability of funds for this purpose, the Department may provide coverage under this Article to persons who

(a) reside in Illinois;

(b) are not eligible under any of the preceding paragraphs of this Section; and

(c) (blank); meet the income guidelines of paragraph 2(a) of this Section; and

(d) meet one of the following conditions:

(i) have filed an application for asylum status under 8 U.S.C. 1158 that is pending with the appropriate federal agency or have a pending appeal of such an application before a court of competent jurisdiction and are represented either by counsel or by an advocate accredited by the appropriate federal agency and employed by a not-for-profit organization in regard to that application or appeal;

(ii) are receiving services through a federally funded torture treatment center;

(iii) have filed a pending application for T nonimmigrant status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(T);

(iv) have filed a pending application for U nonimmigrant status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U); or

(v) have filed as a derivative family member or are included in the application for item (i), (iii), or (iv) as provided by Department rule; or .

(vi) are not eligible, due to immigration status, per 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and are:

(1) a qualified immigrant as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1641; or

(2) a spouse, widow, or child of a U.S. citizen or a spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident or a member of that relative's family who lived with them, and the individual no longer lives with the abuser or plans to live separately within one month of receipt of assistance and whose need for assistance is due, at least in part, to the abuse; or

(3) an individual described in 22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(C); or

(4) an American Indian born in Canada who possesses at least 50% of blood of the American Indian race to whom the provisions of Section 1359 of Title 8 of the United States code apply; or

(5) a member of an Indian tribe as defined in Section 5304(e) of Title 25 of the United States Code which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the U.S. to Indians because of their status as Indians; or

(6) an Iraqi or Afghan special immigrant under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27); or

(7) an individual who is granted deferred action and any individual who is lawfully present in the U.S. as defined in 45 CFR 155.20 (as in effect on January 1, 2026).

Persons covered under this paragraph who are age 65 or older must meet the income guidelines of subparagraph (a) of paragraph 2. Persons covered under this paragraph who are age 19 or older, but younger than 65, must meet the income guidelines under paragraph 18.

Medical coverage under this paragraph 14 may be provided for up to 24 continuous months from the initial eligibility date so long as an individual continues to satisfy the criteria of this paragraph 14. If an individual has an application or appeal pending regarding an application for asylum, T nonimmigrant status, or U nonimmigrant status before the appropriate federal agency for such applications or appeals, eligibility under this paragraph 14 may be extended until a final decision is rendered with respect to the application or appeal, except that an individual who is approved for a U visa continues to qualify for medical coverage under this paragraph 14 as long as the individual meets all other eligibility criteria. The Department shall adopt rules governing the implementation of this paragraph 14.

15. Family Care Eligibility.

(a) On and after July 1, 2012, a parent or other caretaker relative who is 19 years of age or older when countable income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. A person may not spend down to become eligible under this paragraph 15.

(b) Eligibility shall be reviewed annually.

(c) (Blank).

(d) (Blank).

(e) (Blank).

(f) (Blank).

(g) (Blank).

(h) (Blank).

(i) Following termination of an individual's coverage under this paragraph 15, the individual must be determined eligible before the person can be re-enrolled.

16. Subject to appropriation, uninsured persons who are not otherwise eligible under this Section who have been certified and referred by the Department of Public Health as having been screened and found to need diagnostic evaluation or treatment, or both diagnostic evaluation and treatment, for prostate or testicular cancer. For the purposes of this paragraph 16, uninsured persons are those who do not have creditable coverage, as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or have otherwise exhausted any insurance benefits they may have had, for prostate or testicular cancer diagnostic evaluation or treatment, or both diagnostic evaluation and treatment. To be eligible, a person must furnish a Social Security number. A person's assets are exempt from consideration in determining eligibility under this paragraph 16. Such persons shall be eligible for medical assistance under this paragraph 16 for so long as they need treatment for the cancer. A person shall be considered to need treatment if, in the opinion of the person's treating physician, the person requires therapy directed toward cure or palliation of prostate or testicular cancer, including recurrent metastatic cancer that is a known or presumed complication of prostate or testicular cancer and complications resulting from the treatment modalities themselves. Persons who require only routine monitoring services are not considered to need treatment. "Medical assistance" under this paragraph 16 shall be identical to the benefits provided under the State's approved plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department (i) does not have a claim against the estate of a deceased recipient of services under this paragraph 16 and (ii) does not have a lien against any homestead property or other legal or equitable real property interest owned by a recipient of services under this paragraph 16.

17. Persons who, pursuant to a waiver approved by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are eligible for medical assistance under Title XIX or XXI of the federal Social Security Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code and consistent with the terms of the approved waiver, the Illinois Department, may by rule:

(a) Limit the geographic areas in which the waiver program operates.

(b) Determine the scope, quantity, duration, and quality, and the rate and method of reimbursement, of the medical services to be provided, which may differ from those for other classes of persons eligible for assistance under this Article.

(c) Restrict the persons' freedom in choice of providers.

18. Beginning January 1, 2014, persons aged 19 or older, but younger than 65, who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under this Section 5-2, who qualify for medical assistance pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and applicable federal regulations, and who have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level plus 5% for the applicable family size as determined pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14) and applicable federal regulations. Persons eligible for medical assistance under this paragraph 18 shall receive coverage for the Health Benefits Service Package as that term is defined in subsection (m) of Section 5-1.1 of this Code. If Illinois' federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is reduced below 90% for persons eligible for medical assistance under this paragraph 18, eligibility under this paragraph 18 shall cease no later than the end of the third month following the month in which the reduction in FMAP takes effect.

19. Beginning January 1, 2014, as required under 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX), persons older than age 18 and younger than age 26 who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under paragraphs (1) through (17) of this Section who (i) were in foster care under the responsibility of the State on the date of attaining age 18 or on the date of attaining age 21 when a court has continued wardship for good cause as provided in Section 2-31 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and (ii) received medical assistance under the Illinois Title XIX State Plan or waiver of such plan while in foster care.

20. (Blank).

21. Persons who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under this Section who may qualify for medical assistance pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII) and 42 U.S.C. 1396(ss) for the duration of any federal or State declared emergency due to COVID-19. Medical assistance to persons eligible for medical assistance solely pursuant to this paragraph 21 shall be limited to any in vitro diagnostic product (and the administration of such product) described in 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(3)(B) on or after March 18, 2020, any visit described in 42 U.S.C. 1396o(a)(2)(G), or any other medical assistance that may be federally authorized for this class of persons. The Department may also cover treatment of COVID-19 for this class of persons, or any similar category of uninsured individuals, to the extent authorized under a federally approved 1115 Waiver or other federal authority. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1-11 of this Code, due to the nature of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department may cover and provide the medical assistance described in this paragraph 21 to noncitizens who would otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for the class of persons described in this paragraph 21 for the duration of the State emergency period.

In implementing the provisions of Public Act 96-20, the Department is authorized to adopt only those rules necessary, including emergency rules. Nothing in Public Act 96-20 permits the Department to adopt rules or issue a decision that expands eligibility for the FamilyCare Program to a person whose income exceeds 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as determined from time to time by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, unless the Department is provided with express statutory authority.

The eligibility of any such person for medical assistance under this Article is not affected by the payment of any grant under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act or any distributions or items of income described under subparagraph (X) of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 203 of the Illinois Income Tax Act.

The Department shall by rule establish the amounts of assets to be disregarded in determining eligibility for medical assistance, which shall at a minimum equal the amounts to be disregarded under the Federal Supplemental Security Income Program. The amount of assets of a single person to be disregarded shall not be less than $2,000, and the amount of assets of a married couple to be disregarded shall not be less than $3,000.

To the extent permitted under federal law, any person found guilty of a second violation of Article VIIIA shall be ineligible for medical assistance under this Article, as provided in Section 8A-8.

The eligibility of any person for medical assistance under this Article shall not be affected by the receipt by the person of donations or benefits from fundraisers held for the person in cases of serious illness, as long as neither the person nor members of the person's family have actual control over the donations or benefits or the disbursement of the donations or benefits.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, if the United States Supreme Court holds Title II, Subtitle A, Section 2001(a) of Public Law 111-148 to be unconstitutional, or if a holding of Public Law 111-148 makes Medicaid eligibility allowed under Section 2001(a) inoperable, the State or a unit of local government shall be prohibited from enrolling individuals in the Medical Assistance Program as the result of federal approval of a State Medicaid waiver on or after June 14, 2012 (the effective date of Public Act 97-687), and any individuals enrolled in the Medical Assistance Program pursuant to eligibility permitted as a result of such a State Medicaid waiver shall become immediately ineligible.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, if an Act of Congress that becomes a Public Law eliminates Section 2001(a) of Public Law 111-148, the State or a unit of local government shall be prohibited from enrolling individuals in the Medical Assistance Program as the result of federal approval of a State Medicaid waiver on or after June 14, 2012 (the effective date of Public Act 97-687), and any individuals enrolled in the Medical Assistance Program pursuant to eligibility permitted as a result of such a State Medicaid waiver shall become immediately ineligible.

Effective October 1, 2013, the determination of eligibility of persons who qualify under paragraphs 5, 6, 8, 15, 17, and 18 of this Section shall comply with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14) and applicable federal regulations.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, and the Illinois health insurance marketplace shall work cooperatively to assist persons who would otherwise lose health benefits as a result of changes made under Public Act 98-104 to transition to other health insurance coverage.

(Source: P.A. 104-9, eff. 1-1-26.)