U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen met with Chestnut Health Systems and other local service providers in Bloomington-Normal to discuss concerns about proposed Medicaid cuts. The U.S. House recently passed a measure that would slice $880 billion over the next decade, and several service providers in Bloomington-Normal say proposed Medicaid cuts threaten health care locally.

During the Congressman’s visit to the Chestnut Family Health Center, CEO Dave Sharar shared how the proposed $880 billion reduction in Medicaid over the next decade would impact services for McLean County’s 40,000 Medicaid recipients: “We operate really lean. There’s a workforce shortage challenge and we’re caring for the most complex patients in the community,” Sharar emphasized during the roundtable discussion.

The visit highlighted how Chestnut’s integrated care model has saved lives in our community and how proposed cuts would affect critical services for mental health, substance abuse treatment, and youth care programs.

Rep. Sorensen pledged to advocate for preserving these essential healthcare services as the House committees continue their work. See the WGLT article about the visit to learn more.