April 18, 2001

To the Editor:

More than 73,000 of our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers reside in Illinois long term care facilities, and they have more complex and sophisticated needs than ever before. Among the services they receive are therapy, dialysis, ventilator care, psychological and restorative care, and rehabilitation.

For the facilities, costs have risen as their resident profiles have changed. Their scope of services also has required more advanced, expensive medical equipment and intense hands-on medical assistance. These cost increases have been especially challenging because facilities rely on Medicaid reimbursements to cover care for a full two-thirds of their residents.

Unfortunately, Medicaid has not kept pace with the cost of care. For this reason, Illinois Council on Long Term Care supports Illinois Senate Bill 608 and House Bill 3538. Both bills will correct the inequities in the state's Medicaid reimbursement system and allow Illinois long term care facilities to continue providing quality care for those in need of our diverse services.

To understand the importance of these bills, consider the following:

The average costs at Illinois nursing homes have increased 49 percent since 1994. The Medicaid rates have increased only 29 percent.

The current Medicaid reimbursement rates are based on cost reports from 1992 and resident assessment data from 1993, not the most recent data from 1999.

This growing disparity between nursing home costs and the Medicaid funding reimbursements given to homes must be rectified. Along with other organizations, including Illinois Heath Care Association, Life Services Network of Illinois, the County Nursing Home Association, the Service Employees International Union - Local #4, The Catholic Conference, Community Bankers Association and Metro Counties Association, I ask that you support SB 608 and HB 3538.

Passing SB 608 and HB 3538 will ensure that we can continue caring for those who cared for us for years to come.

Terrence P. Sullivan
Executive Director
Illinois Council on Long Term Care
3550 W. Peterson Ave
Suite 304
Chicago, IL 60659