HOUSE FILE 2073

BY  HUNTER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the use of the elder index to determine provision of services and programs for older individuals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  USE OF ELDER INDEX IN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR OLDER INDIVIDUALS.
   1.
  a.  The department on aging shall amend the state plan on aging and submit the amended plan to the United States administration on aging for approval to allow the use of the elder index in determining eligibility for programs and services under the state plan.
   b.  If the state plan amendment is approved, the department on aging shall use the elder index in determining eligibility for all needs-based programs for older individuals under the department’s purview pursuant to the federal Older Americans Act and shall require each area agency on aging to use the elder index in preparing needs assessments and in the development of each area agency on aging area plan. 
   c.  If the state plan amendment is approved, the department shall update the elder index annually. 
   2.  For the purposes of this section, “elder index” means the elder economic security standard index developed by the wider opportunities for women and the gerontology institute at the university of Massachusetts Boston that is a geographically-based measure of the income adequacy required by an older individual to meet all basic needs including but not limited to housing, food, health care, transportation, long-term care, and miscellaneous essentials without reliance on income-eligible public supports. 
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to the use of the elder index in determining eligibility for programs and services under the purview of the department of elder affairs pursuant to the federal Older Americans Act. 
   The bill defines “elder index” and directs the department on aging (IDA) to amend the state plan on aging and submit the amended plan to the United States administration on aging for approval to allow the use of the elder index in determining eligibility for programs and services under the state plan. If the state plan amendment is approved, IDA is directed to use the elder index in determining eligibility for all needs-based programs for older individuals under the department’s purview and require each area agency on aging to use the elder index in preparing needs assessments and in the development of each area agency on aging area plan. IDA is directed to update the elder index annually following approval.