House Republican Press Release

May 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. GIBBONS HAILS PASSAGE ON “MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON” BILL

HARTFORD- Legislation to help people receive long-term health care at home rather than in a nursing home received final approval by the House of Representatives.

State Representative Lile Gibbons, R-150, Greenwich, lauded a unanimous vote in favor of a bill that would significantly expand a program that enables people who need long-term health care to receive it at home or in their communities  rather than at nursing homes.

Rep. Gibbons expressed her passionate support for the legislation, adding: “Expanding the money follows the person program is not only the right thing to do, as it keeps family members together, but it also is a more cost-effective alternative to nursing homes.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 561, would expand the current Money Follows the Person demonstration program, from 700 individuals to 5,000 over five years to use their Medicaid benefits to cover long-term health care at their homes instead of at nursing home facilities, said Rep. Gibbons, the lead Republican on the Human Services Committee and key bill negotiator.  The bill also allows disabled persons, age 18-64, who are institutionalized or at risk of institutionalization, to receive care at home as well.

“A bipartisan group of legislators have worked extremely hard this session to move this proposal forward,” said Rep. Gibbons.   "It is landmark legislation for the State of Connecticut in how we will care for our seniors and our disabled."