HCS HB 1873 -- PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE SERVICES

SPONSOR:  Bruns (Lembke)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Senior
Citizen Advocacy by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute changes the requirements for financial assistance
for personal care services.  The substitute:

(1)  Removes the requirement that an applicant and his or her
spouse have an adjusted income within 300% of the federal poverty
level, less any disability-related medical expenses;

(2)  Specifies that in order to establish financial need an
applicant can demonstrate disability-related medical and
reasonable living expenses as approved by the Department of
Health and Senior Services;

(3)  Removes the requirement that an applicant's spouse submit
documentation of his or her income;

(4)  Stipulates that each consumer who participates in the
program is responsible for a monthly premium between zero and 5%
of his or her income as specified in the substitute; and

(5)  Specifies if the individual receiving assistance is married,
the couple's combined adjusted gross income cannot exceed
$125,000.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Greater
than $100,000 in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.  No impact on
Other State Funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will help individuals
who are not eligible for Missouri Medicaid benefits, but still
need personal care assistance in their homes.  Individuals losing
this assistance will face job loss, home loss, and be forced to
move into nursing homes.  This program also helps individuals
leave Medicaid by providing in-home assistance to disabled
individuals who are currently working and earn too much to
qualify for Medicaid.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Lembke; Paraquad
Incorporated; Whole Person, Incorporated; Epilepsy Foundation of
the St. Louis Region; Stephanie Campbell; Doug Landous; Gary
Sallee; Kirk Goodman; Robert Pund; Kay Yeager; and Elizabeth
Walsh.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alex Curchin, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:44 am