HJ0043

LRB095 11715 DRJ 34378 r






1

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, As our State's seniors live longer lives, Illinois 
3
faces a major challenge in addressing long-term healthcare 
4
needs; and

 
5
    WHEREAS, Eighty-six percent of people age 85 and older have 
6
at least one chronic condition which can cause pain, 
7
disability, and loss of functioning; and

 
8
    WHEREAS, An estimated 48 million Americans over the age of 
9
50 suffer from chronic pain; and
 
10
    WHEREAS, Approximately 18 million children in the United 
11
States have developmental, physical, and/or behavioral 
12
disabilities that require significant home care; and 
 
13
    WHEREAS, Family caregivers provide 80 percent of long-term 
14
care in the United States, a level of care valued at $306 
15
billion a year, more than what is spent on nursing home and 
16
paid home care combined; and

 
17
    WHEREAS, 29 million Americans provide home respite care to 
18
family members of all ages; and
 
19
    WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of 
 


 






HJ0043
- 2 -
LRB095 11715 DRJ 34378 r




1
2006 was passed by both chambers of the United States Congress 
2
and subsequently signed into law by President George W. Bush on 
3
December 21, 2006; and

 
4
    WHEREAS, The Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of 
5
2006 authorizes $289 million to be provided to the states for 
6
the purpose of developing lifespan respite care at the state 
7
and local level, providing respite care services for family 
8
caregivers caring for children and adults, recruiting and 
9
training respite care volunteers and workers, providing 
10
information to respite caregivers about available respite or 
11
support services, and assisting caregivers in gaining access to 
12
such services; therefore, be it

 

13
    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
14
NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  THE 
15
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the appropriate State agencies 
16
should take the necessary steps to secure federal funds 
17
available under the Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of 
18
2006 for respite care development and implementation as soon as 
19
such funds are appropriated by the Congress and made available; 
20
and be it further

 
21
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
22
delivered to the Governor.