HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttachment B Justice in Aging 8/2/19
Congress Extends HCBS Spousal Impoverishment Protections
through December
Last week the Senate unexpectedly passed another short-term extension of both the
expansion of the spousal impoverishment protection to Medicaid home and community-
based services (HCBS) and the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. The bill (H.R.
3253), which the House has also approved, extends both provisions through December
31st. We continue to work towards a permanent solution that ensures married couples
have the same financial protections whether they receive Medicaid long-term services
and supports at home or in an institution and that states have the assurances they
need to keep their MFP programs running.
Justice in Aging ; 7/19/19
New Bill Would Double Personal Needs Allowance for Nursing
Facility Residents
On Thursday, Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) introduced a bill to double the
federal minimum personal needs allowance (PNA) for nursing facility residents who are
on Medicaid to cover basic expenses such as clothing or a haircut. The PNA
Modernization Act (HR 3853) would allow individuals to retain $60 and couples to retain
$120 monthly and index those amounts to inflation. While some states have higher PNA
amounts, the federal minimum of $30/individual $60/couple has not been increased
since 1988. Justice in Aging is proud to endorse this bill. Note: Wisconsin currently
allows $30/mo. for SSI-MA and $45/mo. for SSA-MA NH Residents.
ate All Actions
07/18/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Action By: House of Representatives
07/18/2019 Introduced in House
Action By: House of Representative