The Lead: March 23, 2023
From the Desk of Angela Schnepf, President and CEO
U.S. Senate offices have until April 3 to join a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies for strong Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly funding in FY24. Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) leads the letter. Please join us in reaching out to U.S. Senators Durbin and Duckworth and asking them to join the letter through the U.S. Capitol switchboard, 202.224.3121.
Kindest regards,
Angela
Top Stories
Two LeadingAge Illinois Legislative Priorities Pass House Unanimously
Two of LeadingAge Illinois legislative priorities passed the House unanimously yesterday with all YES votes. HB3060, our Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) bill and HB3172, our Sliding Scale Insulin in Assisted Living bills are the two pieces of legislation that passed and now move onto the Senate. We will still need to advocate in the Senate to get these bills passed through and onto the Governor.
Each week, we will keep you abreast of important deadlines.
- May 11: Scheduled end of the state and federal public health emergency.
Home and Community Based Services (HSBS)
LeadingAge Illinois, in collaboration with the Illinois Adult Day Services Association (IADSA), and AARP, is leading an advocacy effort to get a rate increase for Adult Day Services. We have been meeting with legislators on this effort for several weeks. This week, we met with the Illinois Department on Aging (DoA), who does not have an increase in their proposed budget, and the Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, the sponsor of our rate increase bill, HB3223. Rep. LaPointe informed the Department that despite them not planning for a rate increase, she will still work with us to push for an increase. A large advocacy effort is needed for this and we are actively working this effort through.
LeadingAge Illinois, IADSA, AARP continue to push for Adult Day Rate Increase
LeadingAge Illinois, in collaboration with the Illinois Adult Day Services Association (IADSA), and AARP, is leading an advocacy effort to get a rate increase for Adult Day Services. We have been meeting with legislators on this effort for several weeks. This week, we met with the Illinois Department on Aging (DoA), who does not have an increase in their proposed budget, and the Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, the sponsor of our rate increase bill, HB3223. Rep. LaPointe informed the Department that despite them not planning for a rate increase, she will still work with us to push for an increase. A large advocacy effort is needed for this and we are actively working this effort through.
Virtual Event – Hospice Survey: What’s Changing and How to Prepare
Passage of the Hospice Act in 2021 expanded the role of surveyors and created more oversight of the hospice benefit. Add to the mix new guidance from CMS, and hospice providers face a fundamentally transformed survey process. Do you have all the information you need to navigate these changes?
Join LeadingAge for a virtual event on March 28 at 1 p.m. CST, where they explain the new survey process for hospice and review how agencies will have to change the way they prepare for surveyors.
IDPH Adopts Rules on Home Care Training
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has adopted rules providing that required training for home health or home services personnel may be provided by either an agency employee who has worked at least two of the past five years in a facility- based or home nursing/health services environment, or by a person in a current supervisory position with a home health or home services agency who is licensed or certified in their respective field.
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LeadingAge Illinois Advocacy Center
The 2023 Illinois General Assembly Spring Session is now in full swing. The LeadingAge Illinois public policy team will be pushing for our Board-approved 2023 public policy priorities, while also advocating for member interests by supporting legislation that brings about solutions to provider challenges, while opposing and working to stop bills that place undue burden on member settings. We will send out more information on the LeadingAge Illinois legislation as they are officially introduced. You can also view all of the bills we are tracking on the LeadingAge Illinois Legislative Tracker which is live updated on active in the LeadingAge Illinois Advocacy Center. If you have any questions, contact Jason Speaks, director of government relations.