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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2010
Health
Care Council of Illinois Commends Congress
for
Extending Medicaid Relief
(SPRINGFIELD) – On behalf of the 100,000 nursing home professionals and
caregivers serving more than 80,000 residents in the 650 Illinois nursing homes
we represent, the Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) commends the members
of Illinois’ Congressional Delegation who voted to approve the six-month extension
of critical increased federal Medicaid funding (FMAP) to states. This funding
will support the continued health, safety and well-being of the thousands of
seniors currently served in Illinois nursing homes by protecting the jobs of
thousands of caregivers and ensuring quality care.
HCCI Executive
Director Pat Comstock also applauded Governor Pat Quinn for his tireless
lobbying in Washington on behalf of the extended federal Medicaid relief.
“We thank Governor
Quinn for his continued commitment to Illinois’ seniors,” Comstock said. “His
work on behalf of this FMAP extension was essential to its approval. We urge
him and the state legislature to continue their commitment to nursing home
residents by allocating these funds quickly and appropriately.”
The passage of H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and
Medicaid Assistance Act, means an extra $550 million in Medicaid funding for
Illinois. The majority of nursing home residents in Illinois rely on Medicaid
for their care, making the extension of the increased FMAP vital. In past years,
the state of Illinois has struggled with long payment cycles (up to 180 days)
and low Medicaid rates – a statewide average of nearly $30 per resident per day
less than the cost of care. The prompt payment requirements the federal
government put on the increased FMAP have helped to ease this burden with
regular payments every 30 days.
In
addition to praising Gov. Quinn’s leadership, Comstock thanked Senators Durbin
and Burris and Representatives Rush, Jackson, Lipinski, Gutierrez, Quigley,
Davis, Bean, Schakowsky, Halvorson, Costello, Foster, and Hare.
“These
senators and representatives proved their commitment to the residents we
serve,” said Comstock. “We thank them for taking this important vote.”
While
the extension of the increased FMAP is essential to the continued care of
Illinois aging population, more work remains to be done.”
“This is
a tremendous win for our state’s most frail and vulnerable residents,” says Comstock.
“However, the fight is not over. We ask our leaders to continue their
commitment to Illinois’ seniors by protecting Medicaid funding in the months to
come.”
# # #
The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) is a professional association
of more than 650 nursing facilities committed to quality residential health
care in Illinois through a productive and responsible partnership between the
private and public sectors. HCCI represents more than 100,000 nursing home
professionals serving more than 80,000 residents.