Bills on PNMI tax and resident personal needs allowance headed to public hearing

• By: Richard A. Erb
• On: 03/11/2019 10:16:22
• In: MHCA E-News for week of February 22, 2019

LD 539, Resolve, To Ensure Appropriate Personal Needs Allowances for Persons Residing in Long-term Care Facilities, was filed by Representative David McCrea (D-Fort Fairfield) and seeks to increase the allowance for nursing home residents from $40 per month to $70 per month and, for residential care residents, from $70 per month to $100 per month.
 
This issue has been raised several times in the legislative arena and MHCA has consistently supported. The fiscal note, which has yet to be calculated for this bill, has been the historical sticking point.
 
The hearing is scheduled for 12 noon on Monday, February 25, 2019 at the Health and Human Services Committee. Read the full text here: LD 539.
 
LD 892, An Act To Exempt MaineCare Appendix C Private Nonmedical Institutions from the Service Provider Tax, was filed earlier this year by Senator Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc). Senator Vitelli and Representative Jay McCreight (D-Brunswick) have led the effort to bring this proposal forward after hearing the concerns of private pay residents and family members who are required to pay the tax. 
 
MHCA has participated in discussions on the inequities of the tax, as it applies to PNMIs, but not other types of assisted living. In this way, the tax becomes a disincentive to accept MaineCare residents. 
 
The hearing is scheduled for 1:00 pm on March 6, 2019 at the Taxation Committee.  The full text of the bill is available at the Legislature's website: LD 892.
 
Staff Contact:
Rick Erb
President and CEO
rerb@mehca.org