How Team Select Home Care is Driving Home Health Care Advancements in Illinois
Team Select Home Care is a national leader in pediatric and adult home health services, dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. With a strong advocacy mission, Team Select is committed to improving access to home-based care across the U.S.—and particularly in Illinois, where demand for Private Duty Nursing (PDN) and medically complex pediatric services is rapidly growing.
The Importance of Advocacy in Home Health Care
Advocacy plays a critical role in shaping healthcare delivery. Strategic legislative engagement ensures that policies align with the realities of patients, providers, and families. For medically fragile individuals who prefer to receive care at home, policy directly impacts access, affordability, and quality of services.
Lobbying Day at the Illinois State Capitol
Team Select recently participated in the Illinois HomeCare and Hospice Council (IHHC) Annual Lobbying Day in Springfield. This event gathers home care professionals and stakeholders from across the state to engage directly with legislators and decision-makers. Representing Team Select were Bill Sczepanski, VP of Government Relations, and Jeff Janda, Area Director of Operations.
Meetings with Illinois Healthcare Leaders:
- Melissa Black – Associate Administrator, Division of Medical Programs, IL Department of Healthcare and Family Services
- Kelly Cunningham – Administrator, Division of Medical Programs
- Patrick Hostert – Legislative Liaison, Office of Legislative Affairs
These conversations centered on the urgent needs in home-based care and the potential for legislation to drive better outcomes.
The Push for Private Duty Nursing (PDN) Reform
Illinois families with medically complex children often rely on PDN services to keep their loved ones safe at home. Yet, nurse shortages and wage disparities limit access. Advocating for sustainable, well-compensated PDN is essential to both family stability and care continuity.
Key Legislative Initiatives Shaping Illinois Home Care
Legislative Initiative #1: SB 1393 – PDN Rate Increase
Senate Bill 1393 proposes a 3.5% increase in PDN reimbursement rates. This adjustment supports agencies in offering competitive wages to nurses and enhances their ability to meet demand.
Why It Matters:
Better pay means more nurses are likely to join or stay in the PDN field—ensuring that more families receive the consistent, skilled care they need at home.
Legislative Initiative #2: HB 2558 – Third-Party Rate Study
House Bill 2558 mandates an independent study to evaluate whether current PDN reimbursement rates accurately reflect the cost of care delivery.
Why It Matters:
Objective data can guide more equitable and sustainable funding models, enhancing service reliability and quality for all patients.
Legislative Initiative #3: HB 3475 / SB 2434 – Certified Family Health Aide Program
These companion bills seek to establish a certification pathway for family caregivers to provide skilled care for loved ones and be compensated.
Why It Matters:
This measure empowers families, expands the caregiver workforce, and helps ease staffing shortages while ensuring safe and trained care at home.
Supporting Families and Empowering Nurses
Team Select’s advocacy goes beyond legislation—it’s about building a better ecosystem. Competitive wages, ongoing professional support, and family-centered programs all contribute to a stronger, more resilient home care system.
Cost-Effective Benefits of Home-Based Care
Studies consistently show that home-based care is more affordable than institutional options while offering better emotional outcomes for patients and families. In states like Illinois, embracing this model can also relieve pressure on the healthcare infrastructure.
Quotes from Team Select Leadership
Bill Sczepanski on Sustainable Home Health Policy:
“We have a tremendous opportunity to expand access to high-quality care in the home while also addressing workforce challenges. By advocating for thoughtful, strategic policy updates, we can create a more sustainable future for providers, families, and nurses alike.”
Jeff Janda on Community Impact and Partnership:
“We are passionate about the life-changing benefits of home health care. By collaborating with policymakers, families, and providers, we can build a system that ensures patients receive care where they want it most—at home.”
Building a Future-Ready Care Model
Illinois has an opportunity to be a leader in reforming how medically complex care is delivered. Innovations in telehealth, training, and community support can revolutionize the model of care delivery.
Why Illinois Matters in the National Home Health Landscape
As a diverse and populous state with complex healthcare needs, Illinois can serve as a model for other states. Progressive legislation here could influence broader national policies and investments.
How the Public Can Get Involved
- Contact your legislators to support current Illinois healthcare legislation
- Partner with advocacy organizations like the Illinois HomeCare & Hospice Council (IHHC)
- Learn more about medically complex pediatric populations and how policy affects their lives
About Team Select Home Care
Team Select Home Care provides home health and pediatric services across the country. With a focus on innovation, advocacy, and patient outcomes, Team Select is committed to building better care systems for today and tomorrow.
Advocating for Change, One Step at a Time
Team Select Home Care is proud to champion policy reforms that put patients and families first. Through continued advocacy, community partnerships, and legislative engagement, we’re working to ensure that every family—especially those with medically complex children—can access high-quality, compassionate care where they need it most: at home.
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