HR0138

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care is a cost effective alternative in the 
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continuum of care for thousands of Illinois citizens with 
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chronic illnesses or injuries or those recovering from surgery; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Advances in medical technology allow health 
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professionals to provide the highest level of care in a 
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nurturing home environment; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care keeps families together; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care allows older citizens to remain 
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independent and postpones or eliminates the need for 
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institutionalization; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care allows children with chronic illness 
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remain in their homes and live lives that are not defined by 
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their illness; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care promotes healing and prevents 
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infection; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care provides a positive environment for 
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individuals improving their quality of life and, in many cases, 
 


 






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extending life; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care is a cost-effective health care 
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solution, with per-capita expenditures that are 75-95% percent 
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lower than other care alternatives; and
 
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    WHEREAS, There are more than 750 licensed home health 
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providers in Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Home health is among the fastest growing 
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professions in the country; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The current Illinois Medicaid reimbursement rate 
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is threatening the availability of home health care; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois' Medicaid reimbursement rate is the 
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lowest of all Midwestern states and one of the lowest in the 
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nation; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Home Care providers are currently reimbursed for 
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less than half of their actual operating expenses; therefore, 
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be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall identify 
 


 






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and target resources to increase the capacity to meet needs and 
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desires of the population who could benefit from home health 
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care and to prepare for future demands to build the capacity in 
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the system now and into the future; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to 
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the Director of Healthcare and Family Services.