Republican senator accuses Democrats of spreading Medicaid misinformation

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Democratic Illinois legislators are in Rockford on Wednesday to host a town hall to “address threats to healthcare” in Illinois, while a Republican lawmaker counters that they are spreading “misinformation” in regards to the recently passed Medicaid reform bill.

Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) will appear at a “Healthcare is a Human Right Town Hall,” along with members of Citizen Action Illinois, at the Rockford Public Library’s Nordloff Center, to “discuss the real-life consequences of the recently passed federal reconciliation bill (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and how Illinois can take bold action to protect access to care.”

According to a press release, “The recently passed federal reconciliation bill threatens key programs that millions of Illinoisans rely on—including Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Illinois leaders and advocates are responding with urgency and vision, working to protect access and advance solutions like PDAB to lower prescription drug prices. This town hall will provide the public with crucial information, tools for advocacy, and a chance to make their voices heard.”

Republican Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) released a statement saying, “It is disappointing to see organizations like Citizen Action and some legislators continue to spread misinformation about the recent Medicaid reform bill that was passed. I don’t know if they just never read the bill or if they are doing this for political reasons. Either way, it is wrong to scare people with misinformation.”

“Those who have read this bill know the truth. The reforms make only two necessary cuts: ending benefits for non-citizens who are in the country illegally, and for healthy single adults who refuse to work, attend school, learn a trade, or volunteer,” he continued.

“I challenge these groups to specifically point to where in the legislation that seniors, the disabled, working families, single parents, or any other vulnerable group are losing healthcare. The media needs to also ask them to be specific about where cuts for vulnerable groups are made in the legislation and they must not accept some theoretical answer. They will not point out the language in the bill because it is not in the law that was passed,” Syverson added.

The Democrats cited a May 2024 Public Policy Polling survey which said that 77% of Illinois voters are concerned about being able to afford the cost of prescription medication in the next few years, and found 31% said they skipped refilling a prescription due to the cost.

Democratic legislators have proposed the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, which aims to establish a state board to evaluate high-cost drugs and set upper pay limits for Illinois residents.