SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2651
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed Senate, March 5, 2018
Title: An act relating to increasing the personal needs allowance for people in residential and institutional care settings.
Brief Description: Increasing the personal needs allowance for people in residential and institutional care settings.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Stanford, Johnson, Macri, Haler, Tharinger, Goodman, Caldier, Appleton, Harris, Jinkins, Barkis, Dolan, Senn, Gregerson, Wylie, Tarleton, McBride, Doglio, Eslick, Pollet, Slatter, Fey and Santos).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/18, 98-0.
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/22/18 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate: 3/05/18, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Rolfes, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair; Braun, Ranking Member; Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member; Bailey, Becker, Billig, Brown, Carlyle, Conway, Darneille, Fain, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Mullet, Palumbo, Pedersen, Ranker, Rivers, Schoesler, Van De Wege, Wagoner and Warnick.
Staff: James Kettel (786-7459)
Background: Federal law requires Medicaid recipients to contribute to the cost of long-term care. The contribution amount is determined by deducting certain amounts from a recipient's monthly income. One of the permitted deductions is the personal needs allowance (PNA), an amount of the Medicaid recipient’s own income that can be kept and spent on personal items. After deducting the PNA and other allowable deductions, all remaining income goes toward the cost of care.
The PNA in Washington is $58.43 per month for persons in nursing facilities or institutions, and $64.09 per month for persons in residential care, such as in an adult family home or assisted living facility.
The PNA is modified annually by the percentage cost-of-living adjustment for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits as published by the Social Security Administration.
Summary of Bill: The PNA for clients being served in institutions and residential care will increase to $70 per month, beginning January 1, 2019.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: No public hearing was held.
Persons Testifying: N/A
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: N/A