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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Illinois Group Warns Of Consequences Of Obamacare Repeal Without Replacement

"Electronic Stethescope" By Flickr User Ted Eytan / (CC BY 2.0)

An Illinois group is warning that if Obamacare is repealed without a replacement, there could be significant human and financial consequences.

President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans made repealing the Affordable Care Act a key plank in their campaigns.

That could be expensive, says Illinois Hospital Association president AJ Wilhelmi.

"Hospitals faced with cuts have tough decisions to make, and those decisions include laying off staff, reducing services, and putting projects on hold for infrastructure improvement,” Wilhelmi said.

Wilhelmi says even more important than the cost is the potential human toll. He says the rate of people without health coverage in Illinois has been cut in half since Obamacare went into effect.

Wilhelmi says without Obamacare or a replacement, health coverage would be at risk for about one million Illinoisans.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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