RHAA

HB 6205 makes sure that government-funded health care programs, like Medicaid, cover basic reproductive health services like family planning, prenatal care, and abortion as they do for other health services.

HB 6205 protects equal access to the reproductive health care services that are already available in State programs.  A future anti-choice/anti-family planning governor could not unilaterally issue an executive order ending access to these services.

By ensuring equal access to abortion under Medicaid, HB 6205 ensures that this government program is not favoring one choice (carrying to term) over another (terminating a pregnancy).

• Fact: Currently the Illinois Medicaid Program covers family planning and prenatal care but covers abortion care only in limited circumstance (see below).  In addition, the State’s Illinois Healthy Women Program provides family planning services to women whose family income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.  The Title X Family Planning Program also provides family planning services to low income individuals on a sliding fee scale based on their income.  Title X does not cover abortion services.

• Fact: Currently the Illinois Medicaid Program provides eligibility to any woman who becomes pregnant and whose income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.  These women maintain their Medicaid eligibility until 6 weeks post partum.

• Fact: The Illinois Medicaid Program already covers abortion in these cases: life, health, rape, or incest.  A physician must document which category the abortion covers.  It is left to the physician to determine when an abortion is necessary to protect a woman’s health.  The health exception can include an abortion necessary to protect a woman’s mental health (e.g. a suicidal patient).  Because of the current restrictions and required documentation, many physicians self limit the abortions that they will submit to Medicaid for billing.  If the current restrictions were lifted, physicians would be more inclined to treat Medicaid patients in need of abortions as they would other patients in need of medical care.

• Fact: The fiscal impact of Medicaid covering abortion will be minimal.  Medicaid reimburses just $199 for an abortion.  The cost of a birth to Medicaid can be over $5,000.  If there are complications, the costs could be far more.