The Illinois Legislature is wokring on next years budget right now! We need your help to ensure that the critically needed Medicaid funding increase for nursing home residents is included in the final budget.

Legislators say they are not hearing from their constituents about the need for increased funding for nursing homes. Therefore, we need your help. We are asking you to call your local legislators.

To make it easy for you, there is a new 800 number that connects you directly to your local legislator. Here's how it works:

• Call 1-800-938-3471
• A voice will ask you to enter your zip, and then press 1 to talk to your state senator or press 2 to talk to your state representitive.
• The system will connect you directly to your legislator's district office.
• While the call is being transferred, a message will give you a friendly reminderof key speaking points to tell your legislator. The message will say:
• Please remember to say your name and address and highlight the following important talking points in your discussion:
• First: remember nursing home residents as the final state budget is being negotiated.
• Second: money is needed to fund the second year of the new MDS reimbursment system.
• Third: additional funds are neccessary to offset increased costs for food, resident safety, utilities, property taxes, medical supplies, and other costs that have not been recognized since 1999.
• Finally, thank them for their continued support of long-term care in Illinois.

Don't forget to redial 1-800-938-3471 to reach either the senator or the representitive you did not choose durring the first call.

We need to start these calls as soon as possible and continue each day until the budget is finalized. So be sure to tell your friends, family and coworkers to help as we need different people for each call.

Let your state senator and representitive know that you are a resident, a care giver, a family member or a friendwho cares about the quality of life in our nursing home residents.

Call 1-800-938-3471 now!