Rockford Sun

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) had some questions about a bill that would change medical assistance article in the public aid code to require the community spouse resource allowance to be established and maintained at the maximum amount permitted under a specified provision of the Social Security Act.

“Do we have any idea what the cost is for this?” Syverson asked witness Steve Anderson of the AARP.  “What will the revenue loss be to the state by making this change?”

While Anderson said he had no answer for Syverson given the agency still doesn’t have complete data from HFS related to the program, the questions kept coming.

“So in that scenario, you’re saying a person with that higher income threshold, why would they have to spend down to $109,000 in two months?” he asked.

“What I’m saying is that’s currently what it is and we’re asking that it be brought up to the federal minimum of $137,400,” Anderson responded. “I’m not saying they’ll have to spend down to $109, I’m saying your question is 'what’s the difference?' The difference is about $26,000 they get to keep extra, that’s a couple of months at most for private nursing care. Within a calendar year, HFS would be paying anyway.”

The bill passed the Senate Health Committee earlier this month by a 13-0 vote.

Introduced just before the Christmas holiday, the bill is slated to be heard on a second reading before the Senate on Feb. 1.