HHS Committee endorses increase in personal needs allowance

• By: Richard A. Erb
• On: 03/11/2019 10:58:14
• In: MHCA E-News for week of March 8, 2019

At their meeting yesterday (3/7), the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee unanimously voted to recommend an increase in the personal needs allowance (PNA) for MaineCare residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The current monthly amounts of $40 and $70 respectively have been unchanged since 1985.  The Committee endorsed an increase of $10 per month in each setting. 
In the recent past, there have been PNA increases approved by the full Legislature, only to be left unfunded when final budget decisions were made.  HHS Committee members expressed hope that this modest increase will be supported by budget makers.     
 
Staff Contact:
Rick Erb, President and CEO
rerb@mehca.org