Dear John,
This week in Washington, healthcare remains at the center of intense debate, and the decisions being made now will have direct consequences for families in Illinois’ Seventh Congressional District.
As Congress negotiates federal funding amid the threat of a government shutdown, proposals under discussion would reduce healthcare investments and weaken key protections that millions rely on. In Illinois’ 7th District, these choices are not theoretical:
More than 180,000 residents rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for access to doctors, hospitals, and long-term care.
Tens of thousands of district residents receive coverage through the Affordable Care Act, many of whom benefit from premium tax credits that lower monthly costs.
A majority of households in the district are working families or seniors on fixed incomes, meaning even modest premium or prescription increases hit hard.
Cuts or rollbacks under consideration would shift higher costs onto patients, reduce covered services, and strain local hospitals and clinics that already operate on thin margins. Safety-net providers serving Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, West Town, Oak Park, and surrounding communities would be among the first affected.
Prescription drug costs remain another major concern. Nearly one in four seniors in the district reports difficulty affording medications, even with Medicare coverage. Recent reforms that capped insulin prices and allowed Medicare to negotiate drug costs are beginning to provide relief—but those protections are now at risk of being scaled back.
Looking ahead, if Congress fails to act responsibly, projections show that in IL-07:
Thousands of residents could face higher premiums or loss of coverage.
Local hospitals and community health centers could be forced to cut services or staff.
Seniors and people with chronic conditions could see higher out-of-pocket drug costs.
Families may be forced to delay care, skip prescriptions, or take on medical debt.
I want to be clear: I am fighting to protect and strengthen access to affordable healthcare for our community. That means defending Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, opposing reckless cuts, holding insurance companies and drug manufacturers accountable, and pushing policies that lower costs while improving care.
Healthcare is not a luxury — it is a necessity. The decisions being made in Congress right now will shape the health, stability, and financial security of families across the Seventh District for years to come. I will continue to keep you informed and to stand up for policies that put people first.
If you or your family are facing healthcare challenges, my office is here to help. You may use this portal to facilitate requests: https://digitalprf.house.gov/AddressAuthentication?id=IL07
