HR0293 LRB096 12423 DRJ 25360 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, As our State's seniors live longer lives, Illinois
3 faces a major challenge in addressing long-term healthcare
4 needs; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Eighty-six percent of people age 85 and older have
6 at least one chronic condition which can cause pain,
7 disability, and loss of functioning; and
 
8     WHEREAS, An estimated 48 million Americans over the age of
9 50 suffer from chronic pain; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Approximately 18 million children in the United
11 States have developmental, physical, and/or behavioral
12 disabilities that require significant home care; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Family caregivers provide 80 percent of long-term
14 care in the United States, a level of care valued at $306
15 billion a year, more than what is spent on nursing home and
16 paid home care combined; and
 
17     WHEREAS, 29 million Americans provide home respite care to
18 family members of all ages; and
 
19     WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of

 

 

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1 2006 was passed by both chambers of the United States Congress
2 and subsequently signed into law by President George W. Bush on
3 December 21, 2006; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of
5 2006 authorizes $289 million to be provided to the states for
6 the purpose of developing lifespan respite care at the state
7 and local level, providing respite care services for family
8 caregivers caring for children and adults, recruiting and
9 training respite care volunteers and workers, providing
10 information to respite caregivers about available respite or
11 support services, and assisting caregivers in gaining access to
12 such services; and
 
13     WHEREAS, On March 11, 2009, the President signed into law
14 the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill which packages nine
15 appropriation bills postponed from the last Congress to fund
16 most federal agencies for this current fiscal year (FY09); the
17 bill includes $2.5 million for Lifespan Respite for this fiscal
18 year; (funds must be obligated before September 30, 2009; and
19 funds could be made available to states through a competitive
20 grant process as soon as late spring or early summer); and
 
21     WHEREAS, Illinois may not be one of the eligible states,
22 since Illinois is not prepared to apply for funding according
23 to that Act; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
2 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3 the appropriate State agencies should take the necessary steps
4 to secure federal funds available under the Comprehensive
5 Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 for respite care development
6 and implementation as soon as such funds are appropriated by
7 the Congress and made available; and be it further
 
8     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9 delivered to the Governor.