AARP Commends House For Bipartisan Action On Supplemental Budget Bill, Urges Senate Passage

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Apr 18, 2013, 06:51 ET

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP commends the Illinois House for today's 115-2 bipartisan vote on House Bill 207, providing $173 million to cover back payments to home care providers and allowing older Illinoisans to continue to receive critically needed health and long-term care services in their homes and communities, rather than being forced into more costly care settings.

"We commend legislators on both sides of the aisle for recognizing the urgency of this situation and need for swift passage to ensure that care for our most vulnerable citizens will not be interrupted, and they can continue to receive services where they want to be - in their homes, and we urge the Illinois Senate to act in kind," said AARP Associate State Director David Vinkler.

AARP thanks Rep. Gregory Harris (D-13), along with Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-12) and Rep. Patty Bellock (R-47) for their leadership in passing this legislation to pay Community Care Program providers responsible for the services and caregiving support Illinois seniors rely on for their independence.

AARP and advocates have urged lawmakers to focus attention on the critical need for funding these programs and services that enable hundreds of thousands of older Illinoisans to receive home and community based services that help avoid costly institutional care, ensuring that Illinois continues to uphold its strong tradition of providing critical services to the most vulnerable populations.

SOURCE AARP Illinois