SENATE, No. 2206

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 12, 1997

 

 

By Senators SINAGRA and INVERSO

 

 

A Supplement to “An Act making appropriations for the support of the State Government and the several public purposes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998 and regulating the disbursement thereof,” approved June .., 1997 (P.L.1997, c...).

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.1997, c..., there is appropriated out of the General Fund the following sum for the purpose specified:

 

GENERAL FUND

46 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES

 20 Physical and Mental Health

26 Senior Services

22 Medical Services for the Aged -- Grants-In-Aid

22-4275 Medical Services for the Aged ....................................................... Se.......................................................................................r

$9,000,000

    Payments for Medical Assistance Recipients - Sample Line .................................................................

 

 

       Nursing Home ..........................................................

($9,000,000)

 

 

      2. Upon certification by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting that federal funds to support the expenditures listed below are available, the following sums are appropriated:

 

FEDERAL FUNDS

46 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES

 20 Physical and Mental Health

26 Senior Services

22 Medical Services for the Aged

22-4275 Medical Services for the Aged .................................................... Se.......................................................................................r .........................

$9,000,000

    Payments for Medical Assistance Recipients - Sample Line .................................................................

 

 

       Nursing Home ........................................................

($9,000,000)

 

 

      3. This act shall take effect immediately upon enactment of the annual appropriations act, P.L. 1997, c. ....


STATEMENT

 

      This bill appropriates $9.0 million in State funds and $9.0 million in federal funds to enable the Department of Health and Senior Services to increase the amount of monthly income and the amount of resources the community spouse of an institutionalized person is allowed to retain under the spousal impoverishment provisions of the “Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988,” Pub.L.100-360.

      The amount of income the community spouse would be allowed to retain would increase from the current $1,295 per month to $1,918.50 per month, and the amount of resources the community spouse would be allowed to retain would increase from the current $15,804 or one half of resources up to $79,020 (whichever is greater), to $79,020.

 

 

                             

 

Appropriates $9.0 million in General Funds and $9.0 million in federal funds to DHSS to permit a community spouse to receive the maximum amount of monthly income and resources permitted by federal law.