Bill Would Boost Monthly Allowance for People in Nursing Communities for First Time Since 1987

Legislation filed this week at the North Carolina General Assembly would raise monthly allowances for people on state assistance in nursing communities for the first time since 1987, reports WRAL . House Bill 753 would boost the monthly personal needs allowance for Medicaid recipients in such communities from the federal minimum of $30 a month to $70 for individuals and from $60 a month to $140 for married couples in long-term care together. For assisted-living community residents, the allowance would rise from $46 a month to $70 under separate legislation, with backers noting that the allowance has not increased since 2003. They note the small amounts of money reserved for residents to spend as they see fit gets consumed by medical co-pays and other needs, leaving little for the small things that make life more pleasant and give people dignity. Supporters also want money to hire more ombudsmen to investigate complaints in the system, which has been flat for years.