Springfield, Illinois (WCIA) – The Illinois Community Health Center says it needs more funding to provide patients with the care they need.
A proposal at the Capitol would provide $100 million to support it.
Also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), these centers provide care to uninsured patients and other patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Linnea Windel, CEO of VNA Health Care, said:
One of those FQHC is Decatur’s Crossing Healthcare.
Center CEO Tanya Andricks said:
But with rising costs and a labor shortage, Andricks and other centers say they need more funding from the state to keep the work going.
“We’re competing with our peers across the state to hire people to work in our health centers. It’s really hard to hire staff if you can’t pay competitive salaries,” Andrix said. Told.
There are 53 centers across the state, some of which showed support Wednesday for a proposal to increase the rate of reimbursement they receive from Medicaid.
“These health centers have historically been underresourced, and this legislation is very important because of the demand we see in our communities for affordable, high-quality health care,” said a member of the bill’s House of Representatives. One Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) sponsor said.
FQHC sees more than 1.5 million people annually in over 400 locations. Supporters say the additional funding will help hire and retain staff.
“Increased funding will allow us to recruit clinical providers and staff who are accepting jobs in neighboring states where we can meet the needs of patients and families and where reimbursement rates offer more competitive salaries and benefits. We can keep it,” said Verneda Bachus. Her CEO of Friend Family Health Center said:
The Illinois Primary Health Care Association said the additional funding will help community health centers serve 180,000 patients annually, employ an additional 250 health care providers, and invest in new services such as dental care and substance use treatment. They say it helps them provide other services.
Half of the $100 million comes from the federal government.
