Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s administration mailed letters to more than 700,000 people enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program, warning that they could lose or be at risk of losing their public health insurance. The notices cite recent federal changes to Medicaid eligibility rules and indicate that roughly half of the affected individuals, about 350,000, reside in Cook County.
The letters, distributed across the state on September 11, 2026, explain that the federal government has announced unprecedented adjustments to the Medicaid program. Recipients are instructed to review their eligibility status and to contact state health officials if they believe they remain qualified under the new criteria.
Federal policymakers have shifted the parameters that determine who qualifies for Medicaid, tightening income thresholds and redefining disability criteria. Those adjustments are expected to reduce the number of low‑income and disabled residents who meet the eligibility standards for the joint state‑federal health coverage.
State officials say the outreach is intended to give recipients advance notice so they can seek alternative coverage or appeal decisions before any interruption in care occurs. The warning comes as the state prepares to align its Medicaid rolls with the updated federal guidelines, a process that could affect a sizable portion of the program’s participants.
Illinois health agencies are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to assist those who may be displaced by the rule changes. The potential loss of coverage for such a large segment of the Medicaid population underscores the broader impact of the federal policy shift on vulnerable communities throughout the state.
The administration has not provided a timeline for when the eligibility revisions will take effect, but the letters emphasize that affected individuals should act promptly to avoid gaps in health services.