Introduced by Representativeshaas of Rochester and Frank of Underhill

BILL AS INTRODUCEDH.416

2007Page 1

H.416

Introduced by RepresentativesHaas of Rochester and Frank of Underhill

Referred to Committee on

Date:

Subject: Human services; personal needs allowance; Supplemental Security Income; Medicaid; nursing homes; residential care homes; assisted living residence

Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to include an annual inflation adjustment for the personal needs allowance received by individuals eligible for Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid and residing in nursing homes, residential care homes,and assisted living residences.

AN ACT RELATING TO THE PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN NURSINGHOMES, RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, AND ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES

It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

Sec. 1. 33 V.S.A. § 1307 is amended to read:

§ 1307. AMOUNT OF STATE AID

(a) The amount of state aid to which an eligible person is entitled shall be determined with due regard to the income, resources and maintenance available to him or her and, when an eligible person lives with his or her ineligible spouse or a needy essential person, or both, as defined by the commissioner, with due regard to the needs of the ineligible spouse and with due regard to the needs, income and resources of the needy essential person. As far as funds are available, aid shall provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health. The commissioner for children and families may by regulation fix maximum amounts of aid and take measures to insure that the expenditures for the programs shall not exceed the funds provided for them.

(b) The agency of human services shall provide an annual adjustment to the personal needs allowance for individuals residing in a skilled nursing facility, a residential care home,and an assisted living residence who receive Supplemental Security Income. The annual adjustment shall increase by the rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index.

Sec. 2. 33 V.S.A. § 1902a is added to read:

§ 1902a. MEDICAID PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE

The agency of human services shall provide an annual adjustment to the personal needs allowance for individuals who receive Medicaid and are residing in a skilled nursing facility, a residential care home, and an assisted living residence. The annual adjustment shall increase by the rate of inflationas determined by the Consumer Price Index.

Sec. 3. APPROPRIATION

The sum of $207,145.00 is appropriated from the general fund to the agency of human services in fiscal year 2008 to increase, on a one-time basis, the personal needs allowance state share to $25.00 per month per person.