“Doomsday budget” threatens to eliminate home care for more than 30,000

SEIU Healthcare Illinois launches television, print ads calling on state lawmakers to stop harmful cuts

SEIU Healthcare Illinois – representing more than 35,000 workers who provide home care to seniors and people with disabilities – launched new television, print and direct mail advertisements today urging legislators to reverse millions of dollars in proposed cuts to the state’s home care programs and prevent 30,000 seniors and people with disabilities from losing their care entirely under a “doomsday budget” proposal expected in coming days.

Legislators could be asked to consider cutting over 30,000 non-Medicaid seniors and people with disabilities from the Department on Aging’s Community Care Program and the Department of Human Services’ Home Service Program, leaving them without the assistance they depend on and forcing many out of their homes and into nursing homes that cost more for both consumers and the state. 

The rumored “doomsday cuts” come on top of home care cuts that were proposed in the Governor’s executive budget. Governor Quinn’s proposed FY10 budget includes a $40 million gap in funding for the Community Care Program – which serves over 51,000 Illinois seniors – and a $26.5 million cut to home care for the 33,000 people with disabilities in the Home Service Program. These cuts could mean significant reductions in home care service hours for seniors and people with disabilities throughout the state.

Television:



Print:


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Direct Mail:



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Door Hanger:




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