COFI parents Maria Sanchez and Gaby Piceno were featured in an article on Capitol News Illinois, speaking on their experiences with the state of healthcare for undocumented immigrants. At 87 years old, Maria had been living a long time without any preventive care or regular check-ups, and was hospitalized twice with pneumonia. “Nada, nada, nada,” Maria said in an interview. Nothing, nothing, nothing.
Living in Illinois, one of a few states that cover some economically challenged older immigrants with Medicaid or Affordable Care Act waivers, Maria was able to get covered late last year under a state program introduced in December 2020 for older people without legal status. “With my medical card, I have peace of mind,” said Maria, who has been able to address some cardiac concerns, find a dentist, and scheduled the removal of her cataracts.
“I don’t have to worry anymore,” Gaby added in her own interview, referring to her family as well. Gaby was able to qualify for healthcare when the state of Illinois lowered the age of eligibility for immigrants to 42 in the summer of 2022.
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