Advocating for Increased Personal Needs Allowances in Nursing Homes

In this episode, we're joined by three advocates who have worked to raise the personal needs allowance (PNA) and improve the quality of life for nursing home residents in their states. The PNA is a small portion of income that Medicaid nursing home residents can keep each month to cover personal expenses such as clothing, snacks, cell phone bills, and other essentials that make life more comfortable. The federal minimum PNA has not been raised since 1987 and remains just $30 a month, less than one dollar a day. While states can set higher amounts, they currently range from $30 to $200 a month, leaving most residents with only $2 to $3 per day for discretionary spending. Join us as we hear from Bill Lamb, a lifelong advocate in North Carolina, along with resident advocates Ray DiFrancesco of New Jersey, and Jeanette Martinez of Connecticut, as they share their experiences raising the PNA in their states and their advice for others working toward the same goal.