summary
Introduced
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Support for Family Home Health Aides and Caregivers Act. Requires the Director of Healthcare and Family Services to establish, no later than one year after the effective date of the Act, a Family Home Health Aide Program for the purposes of training a family caregiver of an eligible relative on the provision of qualified home health services to supplement home health and private duty nursing services in the State. Provides that under the program, the Director must certify a family caregiver of an eligible relative who has successfully completed the approved training for family home health aides, and meets all other applicable requirements established by the State, and is determined to be in compliance with any federal law concerning family home health aides. Provides that, subject to federal approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a certified family home health aide shall be eligible to provide qualified home health services to an eligible relative under any home and community-based services waiver program authorized under the Social Security Act. Contains provisions concerning the development of training requirements for family home health aides; certification requirements for family home health aides; employment opportunities; the different types of home health services; a requirement to triage services based on clinical acuity; the development of a clinical acuity tool to assist in determining the care needs of medically fragile individuals; the establishment of a respite program for family home health aides and other nursing professionals; reimbursement rates for home health aide services; utilization of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' electronic verification system; reporting requirements; and rulemaking.
AI Summary
This bill creates the Support for Family Home Health Aides and Caregivers Act to address the shortage of direct care workers by establishing a Family Home Health Aide Program. The program allows family caregivers (parents, guardians, or family members) to be trained and certified to provide home health services to eligible relatives who are medically fragile and require Medicaid-supported care. Caregivers must complete a comprehensive training program covering skills like patient transfers, daily living assistance, infection control, medication administration, and other medical care techniques. To be certified, family home health aides must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate basic literacy, and complete required training. The program limits services to 40 hours per week and excludes complex medical procedures like tracheostomy care. Home care providers can employ these certified family members, who will be reimbursed at rates designed to be competitive and sustainable. The bill also requires the development of an optional clinical acuity tool to assess care needs, establishes a respite program for caregivers, mandates electronic visit verification to prevent fraud, and requires biennial reporting on the program's outcomes, including impacts on hospitalizations, nursing service hours, and Medicaid service waitlists.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (on 04/09/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2555&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2555.htm |
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