HJ0089

LRB095 15707 DRJ 41714 r






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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Many Illinois residents who are at risk of 
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unnecessary or premature institutionalization receive in-home 
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personal care services such as help with bathing, dressing, and 
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personal hygiene; help with mobility, including help in getting 
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to and from the bathroom; housekeeping and laundry; meal 
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preparation; help in dealing with memory loss or confusion; and 
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assistance with medications; these services enable them to 
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remain in their homes instead of being placed in an 
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institution; and

 
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    WHEREAS, There are many times when care, including in-home 
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personal care, is most effective and satisfying to the consumer 
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if it is provided by the consumer's spouse; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Historically, federal funding was available to 
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reimburse spouses for in-home personal care services they 
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provided; in 1989, federal law was changed to prohibit the use 
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of federal moneys to reimburse spouses for providing that care, 
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and states accordingly changed their rules to contain a similar 
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prohibition; two years ago, federal law was changed back to 
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allow spousal reimbursement, but many states, including 
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Illinois, have not changed their rules accordingly; and


 
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    WHEREAS, Frustrated spouses trying to care for their ailing 
 


 






HJ0089
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LRB095 15707 DRJ 41714 r




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partners while holding down a regular job should be allowed 
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compensation for providing basic care such as bathing, meal 
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preparation, and household chores; and

 
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    WHEREAS, It costs less money to care for someone in their 
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home than to care for them in a facility; studies show that 
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people respond better to treatment in their own homes; and with 
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the State facing a critical shortage in health-care workers, 
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paying spouses to provide in-home personal care services is a 
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good way to alleviate the strain on the health care system; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the Department of Human 
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Services to consult with legislators, recipients of in-home 
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personal care services, and caregivers in determining whether 
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to change the Department's rules to allow payment to spouses 
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for providing those services; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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delivered to the Governor and to the Secretary of Human 
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Services.