This report originally appeared in the July 2010 issue of DOTmed Business News

The Illinois legislature has passed a bill to provide stronger protections for nursing home residents and make detecting fraud easier. The bill will now go to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature. Facilities receiving Medicaid funding will be required to display information on how to report fraud, abuse and neglect.

The legislation--SB2863--expands the definition of criminal neglect to include conduct creating a substantial risk that an elderly or disabled person's life or health will be in danger or at risk of injury, or that a pre-existing condition will deteriorate. Residents and their families will be provided information on how to report abuse upon the resident's admission to a facility. Any owner or licensee of a facility who files false information with state agencies will be guilty of a misdemeanor.
In addition, SB 3047- the Health Care Justice Act - has been passed by the Illinois legislature. The main part of the legislation concerns the formation of a health care justice implementation task force. This committee will have the mission of monitoring the implementation of federal reforms. The committee may also make recommendations as to the implementation of reform. The committee is mandated to assess current programs in Illinois health care, including any changes needed to the programs.

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