Posted on February 15, 2019
HARTFORD —State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38), who proposed a bill earlier this session to expand access to home care for elderly persons and avert the need for more costly institutionalization (House Bill (H.B.) 5064), has expressed strong support for another bill that would accomplish a similar goal.
Today Rep. McCarty submitted written testimony to the Legislative Aging Committee in support of H.B. 6172, which would expand eligibility for the state-funded portion of the Connecticut home-care program for the elderly age 65 years and older who are at risk of inappropriate institutionalization in a nursing home. The bill was considered at today’s public hearing. If supported by the committee, it could be raised for a vote in the House and/or Senate chambers.
The bill also reduces, from 9% to 7%, participant costs for the Home-Care program for those who are not Medicaid eligible, or whose income exceeds 200% of the federal property level.
“Expanding home-care services for elderly persons who would like to maintain their independence by living at home, rather than in a long-term care facility, will undoubtedly help meet their personalized care needs while improving their quality of life,” said Rep. McCarty.
The Connecticut Home-Care Program for the Elderly offers a wide variety of home care services based on need, from chore services, home-delivered meals, mental health counseling to more complex medical needs.
“In my view, the Connecticut Home-Care Program is a much needed cost-effective program, saving the state approximately $360 million annually,” said Rep. McCarty. “It is a program that improves the quality of life for our elderly population. At the same time, it is my understanding that more and more home care providers are finding it difficult to remain solvent, due in part to the low Medicaid reimbursement rate which only covers about 67% of the actual costs of the long-term care services
“If more seniors enter into the Home-Care Program for the Elderly which is the objective of the proposed bill, more home care providers and services will be needed to meet their needs. In order to protect the program, therefore, I would recommend that some of the savings realized from Money Follows the Person and other Medicaid long-term services be reinvested into home and community care so as to ensure the availability and capacity of home-care services and providers in the future,” said. Rep. McCarty.
For those who would also like to share their opinion on this bill, please email written testimony to agetestimony@cga.ct.gov. Make sure to state the bill number, H.B. 6172, in the subject of the email, and copy Rep. McCarty, Kathleen.McCarty@housegop.ct.gov.
