HJ0043 LRB095 11715 DRJ 34378 r

1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, As our State's seniors live longer lives, Illinois
3 faces a major challenge in addressing long-term healthcare
4 needs; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Eighty-six percent of people age 85 and older have
6 at least one chronic condition which can cause pain,
7 disability, and loss of functioning; and
 
8     WHEREAS, An estimated 48 million Americans over the age of
9 50 suffer from chronic pain; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Approximately 18 million children in the United
11 States have developmental, physical, and/or behavioral
12 disabilities that require significant home care; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Family caregivers provide 80 percent of long-term
14 care in the United States, a level of care valued at $306
15 billion a year, more than what is spent on nursing home and
16 paid home care combined; and
 
17     WHEREAS, 29 million Americans provide home respite care to
18 family members of all ages; and
 
19     WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of

 

 

HJ0043 - 2 - LRB095 11715 DRJ 34378 r

1 2006 was passed by both chambers of the United States Congress
2 and subsequently signed into law by President George W. Bush on
3 December 21, 2006; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of
5 2006 authorizes $289 million to be provided to the states for
6 the purpose of developing lifespan respite care at the state
7 and local level, providing respite care services for family
8 caregivers caring for children and adults, recruiting and
9 training respite care volunteers and workers, providing
10 information to respite caregivers about available respite or
11 support services, and assisting caregivers in gaining access to
12 such services; therefore, be it
 
13     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
15 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the appropriate State agencies
16 should take the necessary steps to secure federal funds
17 available under the Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of
18 2006 for respite care development and implementation as soon as
19 such funds are appropriated by the Congress and made available;
20 and be it further
 
21     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
22 delivered to the Governor.