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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 29, 2020 01:35 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Benjamin V. Sanchez and Rep. Steve Samuelson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Increasing Personal Needs Allowance |
While our population of Medicaid-eligible residents living in nursing facilities are cared for by skilled and compassionate healthcare workers working to meet the needs of their patients around the clock, small gaps remain in ensuring these individuals have what they need. As such, a modest allowance is granted to these residents to ensure they can access the incidentals and personal items they require. The personal needs allowance allows residents of nursing facilities to purchase clothing and meet other personal expenses that are not covered by Medical Assistance. However, the amount allowable has remained unchanged since 2007, with no adjustments reflecting the inflation of personal care items or incidentals. Under this legislation, the personal needs allowance deduction would be increased from the current deduction of $45 per month to $65 per month. Increasing the personal needs allowance deduction will more closely reflect the current cost-of-living for residents in nursing facilities and allow residents more discretion in buying personal items and services without the risk of being unable to pay the required costs of nursing care under Medical Assistance. Please consider co-sponsoring this important legislation to improve the quality of life for seniors living in nursing facilities. |