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For Immediate Release
April 15, 2005
Illinois House of Representatives
Passes House Bill 822 Today
HB 822 Frees-Up Almost 50 Nursing
Hours Per Week for Direct Resident Care;
Builds Career Ladder for Nurse Aides
SPRINGFIELD, Ill - Today the Illinois House of
Representatives voted 84-29 (3 voted
"Present") to pass House Bill 822, certified
medication aides in long term care.
The certified medication aide program will train
certified and experienced nursing assistants to pass out
routine medications to residents in assisted living
facilities and nursing homes. The goals of HB 822 are to
continue to keep residents safe, to allow nurses to do
more for residents throughout the day and to create a
career ladder for certified nurse aides.
HB 822 was sponsored by a coalition of professional
provider associations including the Illinois Council on
Long Term Care, Illinois Health Care Association, Life
Services Network of Illinois.
"The individuals who will benefit most from this
legislation will be the residents themselves," said
Terrence Sullivan, executive director of the Illinois
Council on Long Term Care. "It's a 'win-win'
program for Illinois' long term care community."
The bill will now be sent to the Senate. HB 822
Senate sponsors are Sen. Debbie DeFrancesco Halvorson
(D-40, Crete) and Sen. Kathleen L. Wojcik (R-28,
Schaumburg).
Editor's Note: Interviews are available with nurses
and representatives from the Illinois Council on Long
Term Care, Illinois Health Care Association and Life
Services Network of Illinois.
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