Feigenholtz’s Senior Home Care Reforms Signed Into Law

To strengthen the state’s senior home care program and prevent seniors from needlessly moving into nursing home care, a measure sponsored by state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) was signed into law last week.

“Home care for senior citizens is one of the most cost-effective programs in the state of Illinois,” said Feigenholtz. “Aside from the basic humanity of allowing elderly residents to age in place, the state can provide CCP for four seniors at the same cost of caring for one person in a nursing home. We should be investing as much as possible into long-term cost-saving programs such as CCP, especially as the state faces such difficult financial circumstances.”

The Community Care Program (CCP) provides in-home services to over 85,000 qualifying seniors as an alternative to more expensive nursing home care.

Highlights of the reform bill include implementing inter-agency data sharing, shifting to a managed care model for some seniors, applying for enhanced federal matching funds, improving Medicaid enrollment and processing, freezing rates at existing levels, and implementing more stringent personnel policies. The reforms are aimed at streamlining existing services to save money and serve more seniors in this cost-effective setting.

A separate CCP funding bill, House Bill 207, is currently being considered by the governor. For more information, please contact Feigenholtz’s constituent services office at (773) 296-4141 or sara@staterepsara.com.