House Republican Press Release

June 17, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Williams, Labriola, D’Amelio: New Law Gives More People Option of Long Term Home Health Care

Money Follows the Person Law Provides Alternative to Nursing Homes for Elderly, Disabled Persons

Legislation signed into law Monday by Governor Rell will give more seniors and disabled persons the option of receiving long-term health care at home rather than in nursing homes, state Representatives Sean Williams, David K. Labriola, and Anthony J. D’Amelio said today.

The new law (Public Act 08-180) significantly widens the eligibility criteria for the Money Follows the Person program, which enables people who need long-term health care to receive it at home rather than at nursing homes, the lawmakers said. All three legislators cosponsored the bill.

“This new law means seniors now can receive long-term care in the familiar and comforting surroundings of their own homes, where they can be closer to their families and friends. The thousands of people who until now have had no alternative to nursing home care will be delighted to learn that this legislation is finally on the books. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their strong support for this legislation and to express my appreciation to Governor Rell for signing it into law,” Representative Williams, R-68^th District, said.

“Almost all of us have family members, relatives, friends, and neighbors who, at one time or another, needed long term health care, and for financial reasons, had to enter nursing homes,” said Representative D’Amelio, R-71^st District. “If they had been able to choose between home care and entering a nursing home, most would have preferred to be cared for at home. Now, thanks to overwhelming bipartisan support for this measure in the state House and Senate, and Governor Rell’s strong commitment to the home care concept, home health care will now be a reality for thousands of people in our state.”

“This landmark legislation will change forever the way people receive long term health care in Connecticut by giving them an option only the affluent had before. Now, thousands of our citizens will be able to use their Medicaid benefits to cover long-term health care at their homes instead of in nursing homes,” said Representative Labriola, R-131^st District. “Joe Stango of Southbury and my constituent Bob Veillette of Naugatuck took the lead in advocating for this new law and their diligence was rewarded when Governor Rell signed the bill into law.”

 The new law:

• Increases 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.
• Requires 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.

Creates 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.