HJ0089 LRB095 15707 DRJ 41714 r

1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Many Illinois residents who are at risk of
3 unnecessary or premature institutionalization receive in-home
4 personal care services such as help with bathing, dressing, and
5 personal hygiene; help with mobility, including help in getting
6 to and from the bathroom; housekeeping and laundry; meal
7 preparation; help in dealing with memory loss or confusion; and
8 assistance with medications; these services enable them to
9 remain in their homes instead of being placed in an
10 institution; and
 
11     WHEREAS, There are many times when care, including in-home
12 personal care, is most effective and satisfying to the consumer
13 if it is provided by the consumer's spouse; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Historically, federal funding was available to
15 reimburse spouses for in-home personal care services they
16 provided; in 1989, federal law was changed to prohibit the use
17 of federal moneys to reimburse spouses for providing that care,
18 and states accordingly changed their rules to contain a similar
19 prohibition; two years ago, federal law was changed back to
20 allow spousal reimbursement, but many states, including
21 Illinois, have not changed their rules accordingly; and
 
22     WHEREAS, Frustrated spouses trying to care for their ailing

 

 

HJ0089 - 2 - LRB095 15707 DRJ 41714 r

1 partners while holding down a regular job should be allowed
2 compensation for providing basic care such as bathing, meal
3 preparation, and household chores; and
 
4     WHEREAS, It costs less money to care for someone in their
5 home than to care for them in a facility; studies show that
6 people respond better to treatment in their own homes; and with
7 the State facing a critical shortage in health-care workers,
8 paying spouses to provide in-home personal care services is a
9 good way to alleviate the strain on the health care system;
10 therefore, be it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
13 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the Department of Human
14 Services to consult with legislators, recipients of in-home
15 personal care services, and caregivers in determining whether
16 to change the Department's rules to allow payment to spouses
17 for providing those services; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
19 delivered to the Governor and to the Secretary of Human
20 Services.