Illinois can lead the way to a fairer, healthier future. Here's why universal healthcare isn't just possible — it's necessary for all of us.
By Dekken Weinert, Oak Lawn, Illinois
When people talk about the cost of healthcare, they usually ask, "How can we afford to make it free?" But I think we should be asking, "How can we afford not to?"
In Illinois, more than 3.4 million people depend on Medicaid to get care. That's about one in four residents. Another 770,000 adults rely on the state's Medicaid expansion, which helps cover low-income workers who fall through the cracks. Even with those programs, more than half of adults in Illinois say they still can't afford their healthcare bills. That means millions of people are living in fear of getting sick — and that's just wrong.
Healthcare shouldn't be just a luxury or a reward just for having the right job or physical abilities. It should be a right. Every human being — no matter their age, income, or background — deserves to see someone that can care for them, such as a doctor, without worrying about losing their home or skipping meals.
Right now, our system is a patchwork of private insurance, government help, and out-of-pocket costs. Illinois already spends billions of dollars every year on healthcare. Instead of paying through complex insurance systems, imagine if that money went straight to care for people in need. A universal healthcare system — one that covers everyone, paid through taxes — would mean nobody gets left behind. No surprise bills. No deciding between rent and insulin. Just care when you need it.
I want to make it clear that this isn't a dream and can be done. Countries like Canada, the U.K., and Japan already do it, and their citizens pay less overall while staying healthier. We can do it here too — starting with Illinois. We already expanded Medicaid. We already have programs for kids and immigrants. The next step is to bring everyone under one roof of care.
Healthcare isn't about politics. It's about living beings with lives — our neighbors, our friends, our families. It's about making sure the person next to you can live without fear of a medical bill they can't pay.
We can't wait for someone else to fix it. We, the people of Illinois, can start the conversation, push for change, and lead the way to a system that cares for all.
Because no one should ever have to choose between getting better and going broke. 💜