CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Governor J.B. Pritzker joined residents at Victory Centre of Roseland on the South Side Tuesday afternoon to make the Nursing Home Rate Reform bill a reality.
The legislation aims to correct what Pritzker said is an unfair system, where some nursing home facility owners would bill Medicaid for high-need residents but never hire enough staff to meet those needs.
“Since day one of my administration, I’ve made it clear that everyone deserves quality, affordable healthcare,” said Governor Pritzker. “With today’s signing, Illinois will no longer tolerate an emphasis on profits over people, especially at the expense of our most vulnerable Illinoisans.”
The new law brings $700 million in Medicaid funding to nursing homes across the state.
Pritzker said it rewards quality care by offering increased funding tied to staffing levels and a new pay scale for certified nursing assistants based on years of experience.
“Under this new law, the dedicated staff who are the heart and soul of the nursing home industry will be more properly compensated and our seniors will get more comprehensive care,” he said.
“The people who will be most impacted by this legislation are our most vulnerable Black and Latino residents who have disproportionately been housed in facilities without the staff and resources needed to live their best life,” added Lt. Governor Juilana Stratton. “And the workers in many of these facilities, who are predominantly women and people of color, are often underpaid and burnt out.”
Medicaid funding to support the new pay scale for certified nursing assistants will increase funding for wages by as much as $8 per hour, depending on a worker’s role and length of service in nursing homes.
The law goes into effect on July 1, 2022.
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