FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2009

Nursing Home Association Supports Gov. Quinn’s Proposed FY 10 Budget

(SPRINGFIELD) – The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) commends Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to continue the current level of funding for nursing homes plus setting a 30-day Medicaid payment schedule in his proposed budget. This will protect the health care of more than 52,000 elderly Medicaid-dependent residents. We thank him for promising that the state will pay its bills on time.

“We applaud Governor Quinn for his commitment to solving the Medicaid funding backlog crisis, one that has placed thousands of Illinois citizens in harm’s way,” said Pat Comstock, executive director of HCCI. “This much needed funding will help hundreds of Illinois facilities regain a solid financial footing to continue providing for the safety, security and medical needs of the frail elderly.”

Many HCCI member facilities have not received Medicaid payments for the last 6 months and, in this economic period, it has been difficult to keep the doors open. This change will allow facilities to continue to focus on resident care, without such extreme financial pressure.

More than two-thirds of nursing home residents depend on Medicaid payments from the state to pay for their care.  The state’s commitment to pay past bills as well as set up a regular schedule of 30-day payments will strengthen the safety net of care for some of Illinois’ neediest citizens and also reassure their dedicated caregivers and concerned families. When nursing homes pay their employees and vendors in a timely fashion, it spurs spending and strengthens local economies. In many Illinois towns, particularly in Central and Southern Illinois, the local nursing home is the largest employer in the area.

HCCI looks forward to the continued commitment of the governor and state leaders to fund the Medicaid reimbursement system. The budget must take into account the next phase of funding because the costs of care continue to climb. Reimbursement for such things as utilities, food and real estate taxes are five years behind.

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The Health Care Council of Illinois is a professional association of more than 600 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 65,000 nursing home professionals serving more than 52,000 residents.