Meeting Public Comments

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SF 255

A bill for an act relating to the personal needs allowance under the medical assistance program.(See SF 476.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Alons-CH, Rowley

Date: Monday, February 24, 2025

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Senate Lounge

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

02-20-2025

Beth Fleming [Klein Center]

Please support SF 255 to increase the personal needs allowance for residents living in long term care facilities in Iowa. An increase would mean a better quality of life for residents, allowing them to purchase needed sundries, treats, haircuts, and small gifts. The increase provides a sense of selfworth to our residents in LTC. An increase is well overdue, with the last increase 24 years ago! Respectfully submitted, Beth Fleming, Administrator

02-20-2025

Michael Early [Good Samaritan-Red Oak]

Please raise the Personal Needs Allowance for our Medicaid residents. Currently at $50/month for items that Medicaid does not cover is not enough. The amount has not been raised for over 20 years and needs to be increased. You have the ability to make a big difference in our residents's lives for even a small increase. It will give them a little more independence and autonomy and let them know that they aren't forgotten.Thank you for your consideration on this matter.Mike EarlyAdministrator

02-20-2025

Sheri Fada [Good Samaritan Red Oak]

The personal needs allowance for our elderly in LTC facilities is insufficient and unjust. These folks have worked their entire lives and then are stripped of so much when placed in our care. Raising the amount to a minimum of $65.00/month is much needed.

02-20-2025

Emma Lee [Villisca Good Samaritan]

As an Activity Director in a small community SNF facility, I see residents struggle to afford birthday presents for grandchildren, maybe their old winter coat is shot and they need a new one, $50 will not be enough to afford one. Our residents and others across the state have worked diligently their entire lives for what they have. When they come into any sort of facility they are already giving up so much, and $50 a month to meet the needs they have is not enough. Raising the PNA to $65 per month is great start in helping the residents we serve everyday to live their lives to the best possible ability.

02-20-2025

Donna Yeager

I feel that the amount the our seniors get for personal needs ,needs to be raised! Want they get now is no where near what they need to even get a hair cut and a treat. I feel that the deserve better the what is given to them now.

02-20-2025

Eric Olson [Accura Healthcare of Ames]

I am writing today to voice my support for an increase in the Personal Needs Allowance for Medicaid recipients living in nursing facilities. I am the Administrator at Accura Healthcare of Ames, one of 3 long term care facilities in Ames. We are the only one, however, who primarily serves residents who are Medicaid recipients in Ames. I believe there needs to be an increase in the Personal Needs Allowance for the simple fact that no such increase has happened in the entire time I've been a Licensed Administrator in this state which is since 2009. Inflation has caused the price of products to burn through the measly $50 Medicaid recipients are allowed to have quicker than ever. Facilities cannot bear extra costs for soda, snacks, cigarettes, etc for residents and all too often our staff members end up purchasing these types of items for our residents out of their own pockets.

02-20-2025

Ashlee Killian-Foster [Homestead of Denison]

It is imperative that Iowa raise/double the pna allowance. It is nearly impossible to purchase personal needs items for $50. The residents can't purchase bathroom items and then try to buy shoes or have a phone. Not all residents can qualify for the Medicaid provided phones. We have some residents, in assisted living, who exceed the incontinent supply limits provided by Medicaid and have to use their $50 towards those supplies only. There is no room for new clothing or hobby supplies. Families are not always able to afford to help the residents either. It is important that we look at our own families and think if we would want them to only receive $50 per month and assess how long we would be able to afford extra items for them long term, if we were in this situation. I recently looked up the 2025 pna allowances per state and Iowa is not the lowest, but there is definitely room for improvement. The lowest state is $38, and we are much closer to that, than the highest amount of $200. Our state needs to be forward thinking, setting good examples for other states and doing what is right for our community members. Some of the people needing this money may have greatly impacted their communities when they were younger, and we cannot forget them because they are needing help. Thank you for your consideration.

02-20-2025

Kaitlyn Lewis [Northern Mahaska Specialty Care]

I have worked in long term care since 2010 and have been a volunteer long before that. The overarching theme the Medicaid residents discuss is the need for higher personal needs allowance (PNA). Many facilities do not have private phones in resident rooms and if a resident wanted their own cell phone even the most basic phone and data card is half their monthly PNA allowing little to accumulate for things like new clothes, shoes, replacing a broken TV or wanting an electric recliner. At Northern Mahaska we have an average daily census of 76 residents, 58 of which rely on Medicaid for their payer. An additional $25 per month raising the PNA to $75 would drastically improve the quality of life for the majority of these residents allowing them more autonomy with their money in being able to purchase things the facility does not provide.Per 249A.30A the Medical Assistance Personal Needs Allowance has not received an increase dollar amount since May 22, 2006. Per an inflation calculator from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, $50 in 2006 is now equivalent to $77.99 in 2024.In closing, when the subcommittee meets to review Senate File 255 please strongly consider advocating for this change in the PNA for our seniors and others affected. Thank you.

Attachment

02-20-2025

Angela Parks [Chautauqua Guest Homes]

I see everyday our residents that have Medicaid as their payer source, have to go without simple 'pleasures' that help to make them feel good or feel normal. The facilities provide their needs, however facilities do not provide beauty shop for the ladies or special lotions or toothpaste that residents maybe would rather have, like at home. There's a long list of personal items that add up each month well over $50. It would make sense to increase the PNA as costs continue to increase and unfairly restrict what a resident can have.

02-20-2025

Dave Berkemann [Iowa State Long-term Ombudsman]

A large majority of Iowans feel it is long past due to increase the Personal Needs allowance. Price increases over the past two years on everything we purchase has made it impossible to fill one's needs at the current allowance. Please vote for this needed increase.

02-20-2025

Sarah Sullivan [Chautauqua Guest Homes #2]

They have to chose what they can get for the month. If they get there hair set they can only get that done twice a month. They need the raise just like everyone else. Everything has gone up and it just limits them even more because they only $50 a month. Please please really look at giving them a raise!!!

02-20-2025

Jamie Tucker [Chautauqua Guest Homes]

I believe this allowance should be raised for those on Medicaid. $50 is not enough for someone to live on in one month. Many of the residents in our nursing facilities do not have enough money with the $50 to buy their personal needs and often times rely on family members to help them. Please raise the allowance for those on medical assistance.

02-20-2025

Ginger Schmidt [Chautauqua Guest Homes #]

Yes I feel residents in nursing facilities deserve an increase in their monthly allowance as the cost for their items have increased. They are allowed to buy less items which is wrong as these people have worked for many years and get very little in return for it.

02-20-2025

Sharon DeSpain [Royal Oaks]

As an LTC Administrator, I can attest that $50 is not enough for residents and their desired usage. Increasing this amount will help the residents with purchasing items the home is not responsible for purchasing.

02-20-2025

Julianne Marriott [Glen Haven Home Inc.]

Glen Haven Village is a nursing home serving about 70% Medicaid beneficiaries. I urge you to increase the amount to $75. $50 is just not enough to allow a an adult in 2025 to make decisions about. We watch residents struggle with the ability to purchase clothing items needed, coats etc and be able to participate in activities (A mere lunch outing is $20) while still keeping up with their haircuts, personal care items and phone bills. Its just not possible anymore and we have ignored it too long. Please consider mine and many others request to take action on this topic.

02-20-2025

Misty Hobert [Chautauqua Guest Homes]

I want to support increasing the Personal Needs Allowance for Medicaid recipients in LTC facilities. With the dramatic increase in costs of everything in recent years, I feel this is an adequate request. The current $50/month allowance is barely enough to cover the cost of a hair appointment each month leaving many residents with having to choose between getting their hair done or being able to purchase any supplemental items they may desire. Thank you for your consideration.

02-20-2025

Katie Ketelsen [Chautauqua Guest Homes]

These residents would really benefit from the personal needs allowance increase. I do the shopping for the residents in my facility. I can honesty say that $50 does NOT cover all their personal needs items for a month. Many of them simply have to do without. At this stage in their life, it is important that they can cover basic needs. Please increase their personal needs allowance!

02-20-2025

Pat Steffen

Please consider voting yes for SF 255. Residents of Sunnycrest in Dubuque need this for things like clothing, shoes, haircuts and an occasional dinner out. $50 does not go far as you know.My son Jeff is a resident there. He loves it.Please help these deserving people.Pat Steffen2441 Maplewood Dr.Dubuque, Iowa 52002

02-20-2025

John Fenner [- Select -]

Please I volunteer at different Nursing homes. Show them some humanity give them a raise so they aren't deciding snacks or deodorant. Things they get there price's have gone up. While there pay to themselves hasn't

02-21-2025

Karen Newell

I strongly support the increase in the Personal Needs Allowance (PNS) for our Iowa citizens who require Medicaid to pay for their nursing home costs. I am retired and serve as a volunteer long term care ombudsman, and I visit with these residents every week. It is nearly impossible for the current $50 per month to cover normal costs that everyone has, but that are not provided by the nursing home haircuts, clothing, cell phone plan, gifts for grandchildren, snacks, and the list goes on. These folks have turned over their social security to the state in return for their nursing home stay; we are just asking that a little more be left at their disposal to increase their quality of life.I urge all of our representatives to support this bill.

02-21-2025

Pam Railsback

Many successful Iowans had to sell their homes and their farms and spend all of their money on their cars before becoming eligible for the Medicaid program. Now theyre only allowed $50 to pay for their personal need items like phones, TV service, haircuts, and an occasional meal out. $50 was the amount allotted in 2001. Its time to raise this amount and allow a yearly cost of increase. This increase will improve the quality of life for those living in the nursing homes. Thank you for caring!

02-23-2025

Faye Elliott [Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman]

I am respectfully asking that every consideration be given to passage of Senate File 255 which will increase the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for Medicaid recipients living in Long Term Care. Monthly income for Medicaid recipients is given directly to the facility where they live. Currently, the State of Iowa provides each Medicaid recipient $50 each month for use in purchasing tooth paste, personal hygiene products, snacks, haircuts, etc., which are not covered by the medical assistance program. $50 does not go very far. Please consider increasing the PNA to $65 per month with a cost of living increase annually which will provide our Medicaid recipients with dignity and a better quality of life.

02-24-2025

Karah Dizdarevic [Harmony West Des Moines]

This message is sent on behalf of Harmony West Des Moines:The Personal Needs Allowance has not been increased in 24 years. Prices today have almost doubled since 2001. We are asking that you PLEASE allocate an additional $25 per month as well as a yearly cost of living adjustment (COLA). On behalf of the 65 residents affected at Harmony West Des Moines, your support for this bill would sincerely be appreciated.

02-24-2025

Jaime Dodd

I strongly urge the committee to consider the proposed monthly increase to the monthly personal needs allowance for nursing home residents with a Medicaid payer source. Medicaid pays for room/bed, nursing services, dietary, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services, but it does not cover the following service and personal items: such as hair care, new clothing items, postage stamps, preferred toiletry/food snack items, and telephone/cable/internet service. The current amount of $50 a month is simply no longer enough to cover these types of additional expenses. Most of which positively contribute to a person's mood and overall mental and emotional wellbeing.

02-24-2025

Allison Schoenthal [Harmony West DSM]

Our residents deserve an increase in their personal needs allowance as the cost of living still affects them in many areas despite medicaid assistance. Allowing them an increase would greatly improve their quality of life and wellbeing, happiness. Many residents go from having a life like you and I to nothing after an illness or exacerbation of chronic illness and end up living in a semi private room with nothing to their name, a whole life and belongings, finances, personal freedoms taken due to their ability to pay for care and a place to live. This little bit of money is something they look forward to monthly and it allows them to provide for themselves what medicaid and the facility doesn't cover. Please consider increasing their personal needs allowance and thank you for your time and consideration.

02-24-2025

michael wolfe [Harmony West Des Moines]

I feel that an increase in their personal needs allowance is needed due to the fact that I tend to be the person that does go get them personal items at the stores and $50 doesn't go as far as it did back 2001. If the resident here needs to get a haircut it cost them $20 and then if they want personal items for themselves from a store they tend to run out of money. If they would like to buy gifts or even cards for kids or grandkids for birthdays or holidays, they just aren't able to do so.