“This issue is important to the 14th District I represent where many residents are either employed by or receive care on behalf of this program. The care of our elderly, who are vital parts of our communities, must be a priority.” – Sen. Emil Jones III

SPRINGFIELD – Responding to the significant need to provide for the health care of Illinois’ elderly, Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) supported legislation offering relief for the Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program that offers in-home care and community-based services for senior citizens.

“This issue is important to the 14th District I represent where many residents are either employed by or receive care on behalf of this program,” Jones said. “The care of our elderly, who are valuable parts of our communities, must be a priority. That’s the message we are sending with the approval of this legislation and that’s what we in government must remain resolved to uphold.”

The measure, HB 207, allots $173 million in General Revenue Funds for the Dept. on Aging’s Community Care Program serving an estimated 84,400 individuals that was severely underfunded in the original FY 13 budget proposal. 

“Providing this funding to help reduce the Department on Aging’s bill backlog that continues to grow is being not just fiscally responsible but committed to our senior citizens’ care,” Jones said.

HB 207 also provides $151 million GRF to the Healthcare Provider Relief fund with the intent of reimbursement for medical providers for the services they provide Medicaid patients.

Without this supplemental appropriation by the General Assembly, the Department on Aging is estimated to have over $317 million in backlogged bills by June 30, 2013. With this additional appropriation, the bill backlog reduces to nearly $144 million.

HB 207 was approved by the Senate unanimously and now awaits the approval of Governor Pat Quinn.