Rep. Bolinsky Advocates for Connecticut Seniors
HARTFORD- State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) hailed House and Senate passage of transformative legislation for seniors across Connecticut making it easier to age-in-place, stay in their homes instead of going to a nursing home, while saving the state money, House Bill 5001, An Act Supporting Connecticut Seniors and the Improvement of Nursing and Home-Based Care.
As the elderly population steadily grows, there is an urgency to provide resources and assistance to this community. As the Ranking member of the Aging committee, it is my responsibility to advocate for legislation that will benefit older residents in Connecticut. I worked tirelessly with my fellow co-chairs, members of the Aging committee, and Speaker Ritter to craft legislation that protects seniors and provided meaningfully changes to elder care by supporting aging in place policies, that will change things for the way people age in their homes.
The elder care bill is good news for Connecticut residents, who may have loved ones requiring additional care, or who may require additional care themselves. Seeing the state legislature put forward a bill to take care of its oldest residents is an investment in the happiness and future of all residents in the state.
The proposal would also help people get quicker access to Medicaid so they can receive care at home. Legislators recommended creating a presumptive eligibility program, in which case managers and social workers use screening tools and financial information to swiftly determine if a person qualifies for Medicaid and to offer services.
I support the move toward presumptive eligibility, multiple people I know, were pushed toward a nursing home while they awaited Medicaid enrollment authorization.
This legislation:
- Makes it easier for seniors to age in place
- Creates a nursing home database, providing consumers with an easy and reliable way to compare locations around the state
- Establishes incentives to encourage nursing homes to improve care