Connecticut Senate Bill SB00143

Connecticut 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/12
• Refer: 2/17/12
• Report Pass: 3/8/12
• Report Pass: 4/3/12
• Refer: 4/12/12
• Report Pass: 4/18/12
• Engrossed: 4/26/12
• Report Pass: 4/28/12

Caption

An Act Increasing Eligibility For The Alzheimer Respite Care Program.

Impact

The bill's impact on state laws primarily involves changes to section 17b-349e of the general statutes, which governs the Alzheimer's Respite Care Program. By increasing the income and asset limits for eligibility, the bill aims to adapt to the rising living costs and ensure that more families can benefit from necessary respite care services. The annual adjustment to income and asset limits in line with cost-of-living increases reflects a responsiveness to economic conditions that affect elderly care. Furthermore, the bill allows for an increased maximum funding for services from three thousand five hundred dollars to potentially seven thousand five hundred dollars under certain conditions, thereby providing greater financial support to families needing extra help.

Summary

Substitute Bill No. 143 is designed to increase the eligibility criteria for the Alzheimer Respite Care Program in Connecticut. Specifically, the bill raises the income threshold for participants from forty-one thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars, and it also adjusts the liquid asset limit accordingly. The intent behind these changes is to allow more individuals with Alzheimer's disease to access the respite care services they might need, especially as research and public awareness about Alzheimer's continues to grow. This legislation aims to enhance the quality of care that these individuals receive while providing relief for their caregivers.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB00143 appears to be largely positive, with broad bipartisan support recognized during its approval in the legislative voting process. The unanimous vote (35-0) in the Senate indicates a strong collective agreement about the importance of enhancing services for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Stakeholders, including healthcare advocates and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease, expressed their approval of the bill as a necessary step towards improving care and support for an increasingly vulnerable population.

Contention

While the bill saw overwhelming support, discussions also touched on potential contentions related to funding and the sustainability of the respite care program. Concerns were raised about ensuring that state funding can keep pace with the increased demand for these services and whether the financial provisions outlined in the bill would be sufficient to address the needs of an expanding elderly population. Additionally, some members of the community called for further measures to ensure accessibility and availability of services across all regions of the state, which may require ongoing dialogue and adjustments to the program.