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QUINCY, ILL. -- An Illinois bill could help people who cannot afford heath care.

It would require hospitals to provide care, at no charge, to people who meet poverty guidelines.

In order to get free care, the services would have to be medically necessary and patients would have to apply for assistance.

Blessing Hospital has been treating patients regardless of their inability to pay since its beginning.

"Blessing Hospital is the safety net for this community. We have treated patients without regard to of their ability to pay since we've been founded back in 1875. We're going to continue to do that. Obviously the state's financial situation is a constant concern to us," Tim Moore, vice president of finance explained.

Moore is also confident that this bill will not pose a problem for most not-for-profit hospitals.

"It really isn't going to impact us, we're already providing the care that's required under that legislation. I would say that the majority of not for profit hospitals are already in compliance with that legislation," Moore said.

The bill has made it through Congress but still needs executive approval to become law.