Researcher: SL Page 1 4/2/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 1416
AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXPANSION OF LONG -TERM CARE
OPTIONS FOR MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) to expand
Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to home- and community-based long-
term care. It also requires the state’s Long-Term Care Planning
Committee to study systems and methods of increasing this access,
among other things.
Specifically, the bill requires the DSS commissioner to, beginning July
1, 2025, rebalance the state’s strategic plan for Medicaid long-term care
supports and services to increase Medicaid recipients’ opportunities to
receive home- or community-based care. The rebalanced plan must
include (1) increased DSS outreach to Medicaid beneficiaries who may
be eligible for the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly or
home- and community-based care Medicaid waiver programs and (2)
DSS assistance for beneficiaries completing applications for these
programs.
The bill also requires the Long-Term Care Planning Committee (see
BACKGROUND) to study ways to expand long-term care options for
Medicaid beneficiaries, including allowing more people to receive care
in home- or community-based settings rather than in skilled nursing
facilities. The committee must report on the study and any
recommended legislation or appropriations to expand long-term care
options for Medicaid beneficiaries to the Aging, Appropriations,
Human Services, and Public Health committees by December 1, 2025.
The report must include estimated state savings related to reducing care
in skilled nursing facilities in favor of home- or community-based care.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage 2025SB-01416-R000477-BA.DOCX
Researcher: SL Page 2 4/2/25
BACKGROUND
Long-Term Care Planning Committee
The Long-Term Care Planning Committee consists of legislators and
relevant agency officials tasked with exchanging information on long-
term care issues, coordinating policy development, and creating the
state’s long-term care plan for all people in need of long-term care. The
plan must integrate home- and community-based services, supportive
housing, and nursing facilities. By law, DSS’s strategic plan for Medicaid
long-term care supports and services must be consistent with the Long-
Term Care Planning Committee’s long-term care plan.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 22 Nay 0 (03/13/2025)