Senior citizens want to continue to live independently in their own homes. For many, this requires assistance in some of the tasks of daily living such as cleaning, shopping, meal preparation and personal care. The Health Care Committee of Jane Addams Senior Caucus advocates for continuation and expansion of the Community Care Program, which provides these services through the Dept. of Aging.

We have been able to get legislation passed that increased the asset limitation and increased the number of hours available to individuals. Unfortunately, State budget cuts have negated these improvements. We are continuing our efforts.

The Health Care Committee is also celebrating a great victory in the passage of recent nursing home reform legislation. For the past year we have met with legislators in Chicago, lobbied in Springfield, and participated in hearings, press conferences, and met with those drafting the legislation to make sure our standards were included. Now that the legislation is passed, we will continue to monitor it through the Rules Committee of the Legislator to make sure it is not adversely altered.

We will be celebrating the passage of this legislation when Governor Quinn signs it, most likely in Chicago.

The Health Care Committee meets the 4th Monday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 at 1111 North Wells.