HR0293

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, As our State's seniors live longer lives, Illinois 
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faces a major challenge in addressing long-term healthcare 
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needs; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Eighty-six percent of people age 85 and older have 
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at least one chronic condition which can cause pain, 
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disability, and loss of functioning; and

 
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    WHEREAS, An estimated 48 million Americans over the age of 
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50 suffer from chronic pain; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Approximately 18 million children in the United 
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States have developmental, physical, and/or behavioral 
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disabilities that require significant home care; and 
 
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    WHEREAS, Family caregivers provide 80 percent of long-term 
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care in the United States, a level of care valued at $306 
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billion a year, more than what is spent on nursing home and 
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paid home care combined; and

 
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    WHEREAS, 29 million Americans provide home respite care to 
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family members of all ages; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of 
 


 






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2006 was passed by both chambers of the United States Congress 
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and subsequently signed into law by President George W. Bush on 
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December 21, 2006; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of 
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2006 authorizes $289 million to be provided to the states for 
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the purpose of developing lifespan respite care at the state 
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and local level, providing respite care services for family 
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caregivers caring for children and adults, recruiting and 
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training respite care volunteers and workers, providing 
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information to respite caregivers about available respite or 
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support services, and assisting caregivers in gaining access to 
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such services; and

 
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    WHEREAS, On March 11, 2009, the President signed into law 
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the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill which packages nine 
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appropriation bills postponed from the last Congress to fund 
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most federal agencies for this current fiscal year (FY09); the 
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bill includes $2.5 million for Lifespan Respite for this fiscal 
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year; (funds must be obligated before September 30, 2009; and 
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funds could be made available to states through a competitive 
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grant process as soon as late spring or early summer); and
 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois may not be one of the eligible states, 
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since Illinois is not prepared to apply for funding according 
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to that Act; therefore, 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 appropriate State agencies should take the necessary steps 
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to secure federal funds available under the Comprehensive 
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Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 for respite care development 
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and implementation as soon as such funds are appropriated by 
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the Congress and made available; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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delivered to the Governor.