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Nursing Homes Protesting Against Budget Cuts
(IRN)-Nursing homes are the latest group to argue that the state shouldn't cut their funding. In this case, it's a 6 percent cut in the Medicaid reimbursement rate, which would cost nursing homes $70 million in state funds, and $70 million in federal matching funds.

The Health Care Council of Illinois, representing the bulk of the state's for-profit nursing homes, is rallying those affected, residents, residents' families and nursing home employees, to urge state lawmakers not to cut their funding.

State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), chairman of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee, says she'll do the best she can, but some cuts are inevitable.

Pat Comstock, director of the Health Care Council of Illinois says the state can't expect nursing homes to provide quality care with $140 million less in funding.

The Health Care Council of Illinois it touring the state with a large camper to wage its campaign. It made stops over the weekend in Westmont, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Elmwood Park and Evanston. Stops Monday are scheduled for Chicago and Des Plaines, with a Downstate schedule as follows:

• TUESDAY: Springfield
• WEDNESDAY: Champaign
• FRIDAY: Rockford, Normal
• SATURDAY: Rock Island
• SUNDAY (May 8): Peoria, Quincy
• MAY 9: Belleville, Carrier Mills
• MAY 10: Effingham

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
05 02 11 by Newsroom
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