January 13, 2009
Dear Editor,
Thank you for the January 9 editorial “After he’s gone” describing how
with all the attention being paid to ousting Governor Rod Blagojevich, Illinois
is currently facing a financial disaster. The editorial notes that nursing
homes, day care centers, substance abuse clinics and programs for persons with
disabilities are being stretched to their limits, trying to pay their bills
while waiting for the state to pay what it owes them.
Right now, Illinois nursing homes are confronting a huge financial
crisis that threatens to place the well being of thousands of elderly residents
in peril. More than two-thirds of nursing home residents depend on Medicaid
payments from the state to pay for their care. Most nursing homes have just now received Medicaid
payments for the health care services they provided these residents in July
2008, and may not receive more than one or two more monthly payments during the
next six months. This means that the
state will soon be nine months or more behind in making payments to these
facilities.
For years, nursing homes have had to operate never knowing when their
next Medicaid payments would come. In the past, they were able to get
short-term loans to help them through the difficult times. Now, with our
current economy, getting these loans is proving to be difficult. Nursing homes
are now having difficulties making their payrolls and paying their bills,
putting the care for thousands of frail elderly residents in jeopardy.
Providing quality care to our state’s nursing home residents should be a
top priority for our state. Thanks again for your January 9 editorial that puts
a spotlight on the dangerous financial situation being faced by nursing homes
and other providers that care for our state’s most fragile populations.
Executive Director
Health Care Council of Illinois
Terrence Sullivan
Executive Director
Illinois Council of Long Term Care
Executive Director
Illinois Health Care Association