House Republican Press Release

May 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps. DelGobbo, D’Amelio, Labriola: 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 Kevin M. DelGobbo, Anthony J. D’Amelio, and David K. Labriola, all of whom cosponsored the bill.

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

“I’m incredibly pleased that this initiative is moving forward,” said Representative DelGobbo, R-Naugatuck, one of the principal co-authors of the bill. “This legislation sets the state on the path of dramatically improving the options seniors and other people with long-term care needs will have.”

“We made history today in Connecticut,” said Representative Labriola, R-131^st District. “This landmark legislation will help citizens throughout the state receive health care in the place they cherish most – their homes. I want to thank Joe Stango of Southbury and my constituent Bob Veillette of Naugatuck, for their leadership in advocating for this issue.”

“Many of us have loved ones who need long-term health care and have had no alternative to nursing homes,” said Representative D’Amelio, R-71^st District. “If they had the option of home care instead, most would have chosen that alternative. The measure we approved today will make that option a reality for thousands of Connecticut residents who want to be cared for at home rather than being placed in nursing homes. I’d like to thank Joe Stango and his wife Maria for their efforts on behalf of this legislation. The ‘Money follows the Person’ bill shows that we can accomplish great things for the State of Connecticut when we work together in a bipartisan way”

Mr. Stango, who worked for the legislation for years on behalf of his elderly mother, and Mr. Veillette, who was paralyzed by a stroke, were responsible for gathering thousands of signatures from Connecticut residents in support of the measure, and organized the appearance of several dozen residents who attended and testified in favor of the bill at a public hearing conducted by the state legislature’s Human Services Committee in March.

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.