Connecticut Senate Bill SB00162

Connecticut 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/14
• Refer: 2/18/14

Caption

An Act Increasing The Personal Needs Allowance For Certain Long-term Care Facility Residents.

Impact

This legislation is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of long-term care facility residents by allowing them more financial flexibility for their personal expenditures. Increasing the personal needs allowance could alleviate some of the financial strain experienced by residents on fixed incomes, enabling them to afford small comforts and necessities that contribute to their well-being. It reflects a growing acknowledgment of the necessity to adequately support vulnerable populations in medical and long-term care environments.

Summary

SB00162 aims to increase the personal needs allowance for residents of long-term care facilities who receive medical assistance. The proposed amendment to sections 17b-106 and 17b-272 of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes seeks to raise this allowance to seventy-two dollars and seventy-five cents per month. This change is intended to provide residents with essential funds that can be used for personal needs, which have been recognized as critical for enhancing the quality of life in these care settings.

Contention

While the summary does not indicate significant opposition, discussions surrounding increased funding invariably raise concerns about budget allocations and the potential impact on state funding for other services. Proponents may argue that enhancing the personal needs allowance is an essential step in ensuring dignity and respect for long-term care residents. However, critics might question the sustainability of such increases within the context of broader state fiscal responsibilities.