To amend sections 173.541 and 5163.33 of the Revised Code regarding the Medicaid personal needs allowance for individuals eligible for the Medicaid-funded assisted living program and for residents of nursing homes and ICFs/IID.
Summary
HB822 would increase Ohio’s Medicaid personal needs allowance for certain long-term care recipients. The bill amends the Revised Code provisions governing the Medicaid-funded assisted living program and the income rules for nursing facility and ICF/IID residents so that more of a recipient’s monthly income is protected for personal use before being applied to care costs. For assisted living participants, the bill sets a minimum personal needs allowance of at least $100 for an individual and $200 for a married couple when both spouses participate and their incomes are considered available to each other.
The bill also raises the minimum personal needs allowance for nursing facility residents and ICF/IID residents to at least $100 for an individual and $200 for a married couple in the same circumstances. In addition, it updates the statutory language to align with federal Medicaid requirements under section 1902(q) of the Social Security Act. The measure would repeal the existing versions of the affected sections and replace them with the new allowance amounts.
Impact
HB822 would directly change Ohio law by amending sections 173.541 and 5163.33 of the Revised Code, increasing the amount of monthly income Medicaid recipients in assisted living, nursing homes, and ICFs/IID may keep for personal needs. This would reduce the amount of income applied toward the cost of care for affected residents and could increase state Medicaid expenditures or reduce patient liability payments, depending on eligibility and program administration. The bill affects Medicaid recipients, county departments of job and family services that calculate patient liability, and long-term care providers that bill under these programs.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a policy adjustment aimed at increasing financial flexibility for low-income long-term care residents. There were no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so there is no documented public debate or formal support/opposition in the record here. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Medicaid Committee, suggesting it was at an early stage of consideration.
Contention
The main policy issue is the size of the personal needs allowance and the resulting tradeoff between resident spending money and the amount applied to care costs. Supporters would likely view the increase as necessary to better reflect current living expenses and preserve dignity for Medicaid beneficiaries, while potential critics could focus on the fiscal impact to the Medicaid program and the reduction in funds available to offset long-term care costs. No specific individuals, groups, or committee members are identified in the provided record as taking a position.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3505.01 and 3505.10 of the Revised Code to modify the deadline for a political party to certify its nominees for President and Vice-President to the Secretary of State.
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