Eagleson said her department is working on a proposed change in the Medicaid rate structure that will need legislative approval. It will more closely tie enhanced rates to higher staffing levels and good performance.
Under the plan, nursing homes would pay an additional “bed tax” that the state, in turn, would use to receive a higher federal match through the Medicaid program. The increase would bring in about $300 million more to improve care, according to HFS.
Donna Ginther of the Health Care Council of Illinois, which represents about half of the nursing homes in the state, said homes would be willing to contribute more revenue if it was dedicated to patient care. She also called for increased reimbursement rates in light of increased costs, saying their facilities do not have the money they need to increase staff and wages, and recruit new workers.
Illinois Black, Latino Nursing Home Deaths Linked to Overcrowding April 30, 2021
Overcrowding at some Illinois nursing homes caused a disproportionate number of preventable deaths among Black and Latino residents living in those facilities, state officials say.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is proposing $300 million in new funding for nursing homes that hire more workers or take other steps to benefit residents. Department director Theresa Eagleson told lawmakers heavy reliance on putting three or four people into one room was far more common in Medicaid-funded homes serving Black and Hispanic residents. As a result, 60% of COVID-related deaths of nursing home residents between March and July 2020 occurred in facilities where at least 10% of residents were in rooms with three or more people.
[co-authors: Michelle Fong, and Adrienne Peng]
New Federal Developments
Activity
On April 15th, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced the renewal of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).
The COVID-19 PHE will be renewed for another 90 days, beginning on April 21 (the date the PHE was previously scheduled to expire) and extending through July 21, 2021.
This update enumerates the key regulatory flexibilities and funding sources that are linked to the PHE, as well as key emergency measures with independent timelines that are not directly affected by the PHE renewal.
On April 15th the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the second round of the COVID-19 Telehealth funding will open April 29th.
Black and Latino nursing home deaths linked to overcrowding
Updated 4/28/2021 9:17 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Overcrowding at some Illinois nursing homes caused a disproportionate number of preventable deaths among Black and Latino residents living in those facilities, state officials said Wednesday.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is proposing $300 million in new funding for nursing homes that hire more workers or take other steps to benefit residents. Department director Theresa Eagleson told lawmakers heavy reliance on putting three or four people into one room was far more common in Medicaid-funded homes serving Black and Hispanic residents. As a result, 60% of COVID-related deaths of nursing home residents between March and July 2020 occurred in facilities where at least 10% of residents were in rooms with three or more people.
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The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for healthcare providers, including how to safely care for patients with chronic conditions, behavioral health needs and other health concerns. Telehealth once considered the future of healthcare emerged as a clear solution.
Early in the pandemic, Governor Pritzker and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services temporarily lifted longstanding barriers to telehealth for commercial health plans and Medicaid. In response, healthcare providers rapidly invested in new technology, adjusted clinical workflows, and educated staff, patients and clinicians on telehealth delivery.
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