November 2024

A GIANT STEP FORWARD: PNA Bill Advances in the Senate

Big news! Legislation that would nearly triple the personal needs allowance (PNA) has cleared another hurdle in the New Jersey Senate.

Bill S3319 — identical to Assembly Bill A3908 — would increase the monthly PNA from $50 to $140 and establish yearly cost-of-living adjustments. The Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee unanimously approved the bill in October.

The PNA is all the money that Medicaid-eligible residents have to pay for clothes, shoes, hair care, hobby supplies, and foods or supplements not provided by the nursing home.

Stacy Moore — a Preakness Healthcare Center resident who worked closely with her local legislators to draft Bill A3908 — testified by phone before the Senate committee vote, emphasizing that the current $50-a-month PNA isn’t enough in a high cost-of-living state like New Jersey. Sylvia Ellis, daughter-in-law of a nursing home resident, also testified at the hearing. Residents Raymond DiFrancesco and Gail Smith submitted written testimony.

Bill S3319 now goes to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. To become law, S3319/A3908 must pass the full Assembly and Senate before being signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.

Learn more at /ooie/legislation.shtml.

Hello November! Did you know...

• November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, an annual designation to raise awareness and show support for those who give and receive long-term care.
• Veterans Day (Nov. 11) was first held more than a century ago as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Today, the special day honors all veterans who honorably served our country.
• Americans will eat about 46 million turkeys and 50 million pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving, which falls late this year on Nov. 28. If you wish to celebrate the holiday with family and friends, you have the right to leave the nursing home during the day or, in coordination with your facility, for overnight visits.