Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Illinois' Medicaid Enrollees
More than a quarter of Illinois residents are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. To better serve this population, the state has expanded its Medicaid managed care program, HealthChoice Illinois, to all 102 counties. However, rural residents face unique healthcare challenges, including provider shortages, hospital closures, transportation barriers, and unreliable internet for telehealth.
This white paper examines strategies to address these barriers and improve health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees, especially in rural areas. Key topics include medical transportation, workforce development, food insecurity, and health equity.