Increases personal needs allowance amounts

• Democratic6
• Republican5

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

The cost of living has increased for all members of society, including the most vulnerable, and, in particular, has affected the lives of nurs- ing home residents. For example, a resident who neither receives nor is eligible to receive federal supplemental security income payments and/or additional state payments currently receives a Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) of $50 a month. Due to an increased cost of living, $50 does not go a long way. Personal costs like getting a haircut can easily exceed this paltry amount. For many residents, normal life experiences like getting a haircut make the many indignities of nursing home life beara- ble. This is just one example of many everyday life experiences that those who do not live in nursing homes take for granted. There are prac- tical costs, like purchasing quality dental adhesive, and many other small-dollar hygiene and health needs that are not satisfactorily provided by nursing homes. Residents may need new clothing, pajamas, and shoes, or may want to give a grandchild or child a $5 birthday gift. No, $50 does not go a long way at all, and many residents feel hamstrung in their efforts to live out their golden years with pride and dignity. Per the federal Supplemental Security Act Amendments of 1972, all Medi- caid-eligible nursing home residents must receive a PNA. In amendments to that law, per the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, the federal minimum PNA was established at $30 a month. The minimum has not changed since then. However, the 1987 Act also allowed states to set a higher PNA, with a maximum set at $200 a month. In 1988, the state, via Chapter 705 of the Laws of 1988 established the PNA between $35 and $55, depending on the circumstance of the nursing home resident. Later chap- ters would introduce a $90 PNA for certain veterans. Personal needs allowances are intended to provide residents with a small but effective dollar amount each month to pay for the myriad miscella- neous expenses that occur in day-to-day life. As such, it is imperative that the state increase the PNA for nursing home residents. Enjoying life with dignity is crucial in maintaining a high standard of living and increasing positive health outcomes. An increased PNA would be the first step in ensuring the State's aging residents are afforded such opportunity. This bill would increase the personal needs allowance for a person who receives federal supplemental security income payments, who neither receives nor is eligible to receive federal supplemental securi- ty income payments, and for a person who is a veteran having neither a spouse nor a child, or a surviving spouse of a veteran having no child, who receives a reduced pension from the federal veterans administration, and who is a resident of a nursing facility.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.