As the federal government moves forward with restructuring the Department of Health and Human Services and cutting funding to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the impact on children’s health care cannot be overstated. These cuts threaten the health and well-being of millions of vulnerable children — many of whom rely on Medicaid for routine check-ups, emergency care, and essential treatments.
At Oak Park-River Forest Infant Welfare Society (OP-RF IWS), a nonprofit serving the Chicagoland area, we see firsthand how access to quality health care can shape a child’s future. Since 1916, our cornerstone program, the IWS Children’s Clinic, has provided medical, dental, and behavioral health services to thousands of children age 0-21 from under-resourced households. Today, 90% of our patients rely on Medicaid and Medicaid funding accounts for nearly 30% of our revenue.
For these families, Medicaid isn’t just a government program — it’s a lifeline. It ensures that all children receive essential medical, dental, and behavioral health care. It provides access to specialists who can diagnose and treat conditions early, preventing long-term complications. Without this safety net, children will suffer.
As a community, we must raise our voices. We urge policymakers to reconsider these cuts and protect the programs that safeguard our children’s health. If we fail to act now, we risk an outcome where fewer children receive the care they need — leading to worse health outcomes and greater long-term costs for our health-care system.
At OP-RF IWS, we remain committed to our mission to advance the health and well-being of children in need, regardless of their ability to pay. But we cannot do it alone. We need public support, advocacy, and a collective commitment to ensuring that every child has access to the health care they deserve.
The well-being of our children is not a political issue — it is a human one. Let’s stand together to protect their right to a healthy future.
John McIlwain
Oak Park