From the WGLT newsroom, I'm John Norton. Central Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen says hospitals will be hit hard by proposed cuts to Medicaid in the sweeping policy bill Congress is considering. The Democrat, who represents portions of central and northwestern Illinois, says many hospitals will become flooded with patients needing emergency care. This is not about boosting health care.

From the WGLT newsroom, I'm John Norton. Central Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen says hospitals will be hit hard by proposed cuts to Medicaid in the sweeping policy bill Congress is considering. The Democrat, who represents portions of central and northwestern Illinois, says many hospitals will become flooded with patients needing emergency care. This is not about boosting health care.

This is creating sick care in our country. Sorensen says about 1/3 of his district is on Medicaid.

This is creating sick care in our country. Sorensen says about 1/3 of his district is on Medicaid.

The head of Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington says they're preparing to shoulder more uncompensated care of patients on Medicaid lose their coverage. CEO Dave Shiar says proposed Medicaid cuts and the federal reconciliation bill unfairly target eligible patients who may struggle to meet new filing requirements. It's they're really throwing a lot of bureaucracy at the working poor. Nearly 70% of Chestnut's patients at the community health clinic have Medicaid insurance.

The head of Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington says they're preparing to shoulder more uncompensated care of patients on Medicaid lose their coverage. CEO Dave Shiar says proposed Medicaid cuts and the federal reconciliation bill unfairly target eligible patients who may struggle to meet new filing requirements. It's they're really throwing a lot of bureaucracy at the working poor. Nearly 70% of Chestnut's patients at the community health clinic have Medicaid insurance.

Bloomington Normal faith leaders and advocates gathered in Uptown Normal in prayer and protest against the reconciliation bill. Gaynette Haskins is a community organizer with the advocacy group Sisters by Experience. Hoskins says everyone she works with will

Bloomington Normal faith leaders and advocates gathered in Uptown Normal in prayer and protest against the reconciliation bill. Gaynette Haskins is a community organizer with the advocacy group Sisters by Experience. Hoskins says everyone she works with will

be impacted by the Medicaid and Medicaid.

be impacted by the Medicaid and Medicaid.

cuts due to this being simply the only way that they can get the help that they need, the mental health support that they need, the medications that they need for them to be able to eat.

cuts due to this being simply the only way that they can get the help that they need, the mental health support that they need, the medications that they need for them to be able to eat.

Haskins and other faith leaders are urging Republican Congressman Darren LaHood to vote no on the bill.

Haskins and other faith leaders are urging Republican Congressman Darren LaHood to vote no on the bill.

And with lawmakers poised to cut Medicaid in the budget proposal, a music therapist from Bloomington is excited about what's being added. Julie Engelsdorfer is the owner of Harmonium Music Therapy. She says Illinois is the first state to allow registered music therapists to join the billing system called Impact. There will be a reimbursement code for music therapy services.

And with lawmakers poised to cut Medicaid in the budget proposal, a music therapist from Bloomington is excited about what's being added. Julie Engelsdorfer is the owner of Harmonium Music Therapy. She says Illinois is the first state to allow registered music therapists to join the billing system called Impact. There will be a reimbursement code for music therapy services.

and we will be able to enroll in Impact. That's something I'm working on right now for my practice so that I can become a provider in the impact system and build Medicaid. Ingelsdorfer says this reduces access barriers to music therapy, which benefits people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I'm John Norton, WGLT.

and we will be able to enroll in Impact. That's something I'm working on right now for my practice so that I can become a provider in the impact system and build Medicaid. Ingelsdorfer says this reduces access barriers to music therapy, which benefits people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I'm John Norton, WGLT.