State of Illinois Law Makers Tackle Medicaid Reform

State of Illinois Law Makers Tackle Medicaid Reform

SPRINGFIELD – A major reform bill that supporters say will save the state hundreds of millions of dollars and lead to better health care in Illinois was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday. The House approved a Medicaid reform bill (HB 5420) 111-4. The Senate approved the bill Wednesday.

Excerpts from Illinos State House News, January 3, 2011:

"SPRINGFIELD –

Medicaid reform will happen in Illinois this week, but total savings are still under wraps.

However, one key element may raise hackles among the state’s long-term care providers.

As a member of the House Medicaid Reform Committee and a House budget expert, state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said he expects to see reform legislation surface either Tuesday or Wednesday.

However, he wouldn’t put a number on the potential savings, nor would his Medicaid Reform Committee Senate colleague, Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago.

The proposed legislation will most likely ruffle feathers among providers of long-term care for the elderly, developmentally disabled and mentally ill, Mautino said.

The philosophy of “money following the person” is popular at both the state and federal levels since it generally is less expensive than institutional care. And the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmstead decision calls for the disabled to live in the least restrictive environment possible.

The proposed legislation also calls for Medicaid recipients to periodically prove continued eligibility instead of the state assuming they are still eligible; provide a statement of monthly income for eligibility instead of a single pay stub; and cross check eligibility among databases from the Illinois Departments of Healthcare and Family Services, Human Services and Employment Security.

Senate lawmakers return to the Capitol on Tuesday."

The entire article may be read at :

http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4810/medicaid-reform-slated-for-midweek-targets-long-term-care/


Probate sharks would like to make this plea to our Illinois Law Makers:


As you examine issues related to long term care, please consider how OBRA Special Needs Pooled Trusts are being utilized in guardianship cases in Cook County Probate Courts.


Rich and semi-rich wards’ funds are being placed into these trusts, and the wards are being moved to public aid nursing homes.

A full investigation is needed as to the full scope of this issue. How much money is being placed into these trusts? How quickly is the wards’ property being sold to be placed into the OBRA, and how much below appraised value is it selling for? How quickly are these properties then “flipped” for a profit?

How much income does the ward currently receive from Social Security, VA Disability benefits, etc? Could the ward have afforded to stay at home, or in their private-pay assisted living facility or nursing home facility?

How much of the estate is ultimately spent on guardians' fees and how much of the estate is being paid to attorneys for their fees in representing the guardians? Which public aid facilities are benefitting by this scam?

Please review our other articles related to OBRA trusts. They may be located on the index to the right of our website.

A preliminary investigation being perfomed by our group of volunteers is startling. Please contact us.


Please…the elderly disabled are being exploited. It's time to REALLY "ruffle the feathers among providers of long-term care". Starting with the owners of nursing homes whose census is boosted by placement of ORBA-cized wards through the Cook County Probate Court.

Please contact us.

Signed,

Your ProbateSharks Medicaid Reform Supporters