House Republican Press Release

May 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Burns, Hamzy: Money Follows the Person Bill Wins Final Legislative Approval

Measure would Give More People Option of Long Term Home Care Alternative to Nursing Homes

A bill that significantly widens the eligibility criteria for a program that enables people who need long-term health care to receive it at home rather than at nursing homes received final legislative approval today from the state House of Representatives, said state Representatives William A. Hamzy and Ron Burns, both of whom cosponsored the bill.

The legislation (Senate Bill 561) was forwarded to Governor M. Jodi Rell to be signed into law.

“This historic legislation will give people who currently are hospitalized in nursing homes the opportunity to   live out their lives in their own homes,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78^th District. “Since home health care services are less expensive than convalescent home care, the Money follows the Person Program is both a cost-effective alternative to nursing homes and an attractive alternative for elderly and disabled persons who want to be closer to their families and to receive long-term care in familiar surroundings.”

“The Money follows the Person program is a compassionate alternative to nursing homes that works for the state, for the elderly and disabled, and their families. People throughout Connecticut whose parents and relatives need long-term health care and want to live at home with dignity have been working to pass this legislation for several years. It was a pleasure to vote with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make this program a reality for them his year,” said Representative Burns, R-77^th District.

The legislation will:

• Increase the number of individuals who can be served under the state's plan for participating in the federal ‘Money Follows the Person’ demonstration program from 700 to 5,000.
• Require the Department of Social Services to develop and implement a plan to be known as the Money follows the Person II, which will significantly expand the eligibility criteria for the program to enable people who formerly would not have qualified for home care services to receive them.

Create a special account to hold and utilize the additional reimbursement funds (a 25 percent increase) the state will receive from the federal government to implement the program. The funds will he used to improve and enhance the infrastructure necessary for long-term care services in the state.