House Republican Press Release

May 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

House Passes “Money Follows The Person’

Legislation Sponsored By Rep. O’Neill Will Allow More Elderly

Residents To Receive Care At Home

(Hartford) On Wednesday, May 7, 2008, the House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to legislation cosponsored by State Rep. Arthur J. O’Neill, R-Southbury, that will permit additional use of federal Medicaid funds to provide care that allows people to remain in their own homes, rather than receive care in a nursing home. Senate Bill 561, An Act Concerning The Money Follows The Person Project, now moves to Governor M. Jodi Rell for final approval.

This bill would increases, from 700 to 5,000, the number of individuals who can be served under the state's plan for participating in the federal Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration program. MFP is a five-year program. The bill requires, instead of allows, the Department of Social Services (DSS) to submit an application to the federal government. DSS has developed a protocol for the demonstration, which needs federal approval before it can be implemented.

The bill also requires DSS to develop a plan to establish and administer a similar home- and community-based services (HCBS) project for adults who may not meet the MFP institutionalization requirement. Finally, the bill establishes a General Fund account within the state budget to hold the enhanced federal matching funds the state receives for MFP. It specifies the uses of funds in the account and requires a report on expenditures from it.

“As someone who cared for a dying relative, I know how much happier my mother was because she was able to stay in her own home during most of her last illness, even though she was very ill for a number of years,” said Rep. O’Neill.