Illinois Governor Rauner Vetoes Senior Assistance Bill

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Friday vetoed a bill that proponents said would enable thousands of senior citizens to continue receiving state assistance to remain in their homes. Rauner vetoed House Bill 4351, which prevented the state from raising the score used to determine when someone qualified to receive services to remain in their homes. Rauner vetoed the legislation because he said it will tie the state’s hands as it tries to create a new program that will be more flexible in the delivery of services. He also said the legislation meant that a person could qualify for both institutional care and home–based services. The bill was passed after the administration tried to significantly increase the score — from 29 to 37 — used to determine when someone qualified for state services. Some organizations said the increase would have ended services for 34,000 people. In his veto message, Rauner said the administration no longer wants to increase the score. SEIU Healthcare Illinois issued a statement saying that Rauner is intent on cutting $200 million in care for seniors. It said his proposed alternative programs “already have been widely panned by advocates for seniors.” Lawmakers can try to override the veto during the fall veto session. However, the bill did not pass with a veto-proof majority in either the Democrat-dominated House or Senate.

Source/more: Springfield (IL) State Journal-Register

David Wingate is an elder law attorney at the Elder Law Office of David Wingate, LLC. The elder law office services clients with powers of attorneys, living wills, Wills, Trusts, Medicaid and asset protection. The Elder Law office has locations in Frederick and Montgomery Counties, Maryland.