{"id":2408099,"date":"2025-02-28T17:31:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T22:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/audit-reveals-pritzker-massively-underestimated-cost-of-programs-for-illegal-immigrants-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T17:33:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T22:33:19","slug":"audit-reveals-pritzker-massively-underestimated-cost-of-programs-for-illegal-immigrants-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/audit-reveals-pritzker-massively-underestimated-cost-of-programs-for-illegal-immigrants-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Audit reveals Pritzker massively underestimated cost of programs for illegal immigrants &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Faudit-reveals-pritzker-massively-underestimated-cost-of-programs-for-illegal-immigrants-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2408099&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent audit in Illinois has revealed that Governor JB Pritzker&#8217;s governance significantly underestimated the costs of \u2063healthcare programs for illegal immigrants,with expenditures reaching $1.6 billion\u2014far exceeding \u2062previous estimates. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-city-transit-agencys-needs-at-42-billion-report\/\" title=\"NYC transit agency requires  billion, says report\">report highlighted discrepancies<\/a>, noting that over 6,000\u200b individuals\u200b classified as undocumented\u2063 actually had Social Security numbers, and some were legal permanent\u200b residents eligible for Medicaid. Additionally, the audit showed that many enrollees in programs designed for senior citizens\u2064 were not over the age of 65. <\/p>\n<p>Pritzker acknowledged \u200bthese inaccuracies and attributed them to \u200dchanging immigration statuses. \u200cHe emphasized the necessity of healthcare\u200d access, expressing\u2063 support for global healthcare. \u2062Though, the audit raised \u2064concerns about the program&#8217;s financial\u200c oversight, suggesting the state reevaluate its eligibility processes to prevent potential fraud. This program,\u200c which is controversial and has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">faced budget cuts amid legal\u2064 challenges<\/a> against sanctuary city laws, \u200dwill see modifications,\u200b with the\u200c proposed budget\u2064 omitting the Health Benefits \u2062for Immigrant Adults \u2064program\u200b while \u200dretaining\u2064 the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program.Critics argue that \u200dthe administration has mismanaged these programs, \u2062resulting in significant overspending and failure to pursue federal reimbursements.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Audit reveals Pritzker massively underestimated cost of programs for illegal immigrants<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2024189\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illinois\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Illinois<\/a> state audit revealed that programs aimed at providing healthcare to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3330559\/kristi-noem-touts-online-tools-illegal-immigrants-to-live-american-dream\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">illegal immigrants <\/a>doled out $1.6 billion, far more than <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jb-pritzker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Gov. JB Pritzker<\/a>&lsquo;s (D-IL) administration estimated.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The audit discovered that more than 6,000 people listed as &ldquo;undocumented&rdquo; in the program had Social Security numbers, and some were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cotton-bidens-border-crisis-is-a-superspreader-event\/\" title=\"Cotton: \u2018Biden\u2019s Border Crisis Is A Superspreader Event\u2019\">legal permanent residents<\/a> who would be eligible for Medicaid. It also found that 668 people enlisted in the program for senior citizens were not over 65 years old.<\/p>\n<p>Pritzker acknowledged inaccurate estimates and explained that it was due to changing immigration statuses.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think the thing that is missing from the reporting, and what I would point out to you, is that, No. 1, people&rsquo;s immigration status changes during the course of a year. You&rsquo;ve got people who were eligible for the program who became ineligible for the program,&rdquo; Pritzker said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Even though you expect that people will move on because, well, it may be their immigration status, it may be because they got a job that has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/online-auto-retailer-carvana-lays-off-1500-employees\/\" title=\"Online Auto Retailer Carvana Lays Off 1,500 Employees\">health-care coverage<\/a> associated with it, but you expect them to move on, and maybe they didn&rsquo;t move on either because they didn&rsquo;t know they could, should. That happens, I hate to tell you, on Medicaid as well,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p>The Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program had more than double the expected enrollees and spent 84% more than expected. The Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program had around twice the enrollees expected for the 42-54 and 55-64 age groups and spent 286% and 282% more than expected, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The broader context is people need to get healthcare,&rdquo; Pritzker noted. &ldquo;I am in favor of universal healthcare.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The audit concludes by saying the state should review its eligibility process and data while offering upgrades to ensure that the state government isn&rsquo;t being defrauded of healthcare money due to ineligibility.<\/p>\n<p>The program is highly controversial and has faced cuts in Pritzker&rsquo;s new budget after the Trump administration sued Chicago and Illinois for their sanctuary city laws. The new budget will exclude the HBIA program but still include the HBIS program.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3315975\/doge-doing-across-federal-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>TRACKING WHAT DOGE IS DOING ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This audit shows that the governor, that the program was rampant in overspending. It spent well in excess of 200% more than what was estimated in budgets and in appropriations,&rdquo; John Curran, state Senate&nbsp;Republican leader, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/blue-state-govs-gross-mismanagement-cost-taxpayers-1-6b-illegal-immigrant-healthcare-audit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">told<\/a> Fox News.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And it also showed that the governor was unable to manage this program,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Thousands of people were allowed to sign up for free healthcare for years on the state taxpayer dime that should not have been eligible under the parameters laid out for this program, and the governor failed to even&nbsp;seek federal&nbsp;reimbursement when eligible on certain services for years, leaving federal dollars on the table.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2024189\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2024189\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Audit shows Pritzker greatly underestimated costs for immigrant programs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2408100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/jb-pritzker-1.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[50523,51330,32165,20657,32076],"class_list":["post-2408099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-audit-2","tag-cost-estimate","tag-illegal-immigrants","tag-pritzker","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/jb-pritzker-1.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2408099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2408099"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2408099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2408103,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2408099\/revisions\/2408103"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2408100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2408099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2408099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2408099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}