Illinois

Government saved $17.6 billion in 2011 due to fraud prevention programs

November 16, 2011

A government crackdown on improper payments in federal programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, cut wasteful payments by $17.6 billion in 2011, the Office of Management and Budget reported Tuesday. The administration's Campaign to Cut Waste saved $7 billion in Medicare fee-for-service payment errors between 2010 and 2011, according to the OMB.

Lawsuit settlement would transition disabled and elderly nursing home residents into community settings

August 31, 2011

A proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit could help low-income people with disabilities avoid nursing homes while saving the state money, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Medicaid a possible target as governors warn constituents about budget struggles

January 05, 2011

New governors, 26 of whom were elected in November, are facing deep fiscal problems. Many are taking a hard look at Medicaid as a source of budget savings.

New housing choices for mentally ill nursing home residents spark concerns

September 09, 2010

A judge in Illinois on Tuesday heard arguments for and against a proposed settlement that would give thousands of mentally ill nursing home residents in the state the chance to move into community housing.

Illinois governor signs new nursing home rules into law

August 04, 2010

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) recently signed into law new nursing home safety regulations that aim to end the pattern of violence in that state's facilities, according to local news reports.

Judge orders Illinois nursing homes to end 'scare tactics'

July 30, 2010

Illinois-based for-profit nursing home operators must stop issuing misleading "information sheets" to mentally ill residents, a federal judge recently ruled.

ACLU accuses Illinois nursing homes of using scare tactics to keep mentally ill residents

July 26, 2010

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing some for-profit nursing home operators in Illinois of using "scare tactics" to keep psychiatric residents in their facilities, according to local reports.

New, tougher regulations for Illinois nursing homes pass the state House, but funding remains an issue

May 10, 2010

Nursing homes in Illinois are facing new higher standards after a unanimous vote in the state's House—118-0—to pass a major overhaul of the long-term care system. A similar vote is expected in the Illinois Senate, according to local reports.

Federal law trumps state in use of nursing home arbitration agreements, Illinois high court rules

April 20, 2010

The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) preempts a provision in the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (NHCA) that prohibits the use of arbitration agreements in cases against nursing homes, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Appellate court lifts ban on nursing home fines in Illinois

April 05, 2010

An Illinois Appellate Court has eliminated a cap on the amount the state's Department of Public Health can fine an underperforming nursing home, according to local news reports.

Opinions differ on changes to Illinois' nursing home system

April 01, 2010

Nursing home operators and seniors' rights groups in Illinois are clashing over proposed changes to that state's long-term care system, according to news reports.

Illinois nursing home settlement could have major impact

Liza Berger March 19, 2010

A recent legal settlement regarding mentally ill nursing home residents in Illinois has the potential to transform the state's long-term system. It also likely will have a ripple effect on the field nationwide.

Illinois task force offers recommendations to reform nursing home system

February 22, 2010

The Nursing Home Safety Task Force commissioned by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D) released its recommendations for reforming that state's long-term care system on Friday.