Cook County leaders on Thursday restated their support to provide health services for immigrants and other underserved communities. [Health News Illinois]

Cook County Health CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis told reporters they have already seen negative health outcomes due to President Donald Trump’s administration, whether through deportation efforts or plans to freeze federal funding.

Mikaitis said patients had missed appointments for routine care and more critical services like chemotherapy over fears of leaving their homes. 

“Cook County Health proudly serves all residents, regardless of immigration status,” Mikaitis said. “We do not ask a patient's immigration status and a patient's ability to pay does not impact their ability to get care.”

He said staff have been trained on protecting a patient’s rights within a healthcare facility should there be immigration enforcement. The health system is also doing more outreach to promote its telehealth and virtual care appointments.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said some health services could be impacted by a federal funding freeze or cuts to programs like Medicaid. The county currently has 111 federal grants totaling $746 million.

“We don't believe that all these grants are in jeopardy, but a pause to these funds would really be harmful to our residents and the work we're doing,” Preckwinkle said.

About 1.2 million Cook County residents are on Medicaid, with 40 percent of those enrolled in Cook County Health’s CountyCare health plan. Mikaitis said any disruption in Medicaid funding could lead to a “surge” in uninsured individuals.

“We know all too well that without insurance, people often delay care and experience worse health outcomes,” he said. “Preserving Medicaid is truly a matter of life and death.”

Additionally, Mikaitis said they are shoring up access to other services under federal scrutiny, specifically reproductive healthcare and care for LGBTQ+ individuals.

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