During a hearing with the Texas Human Services Committee this week, nursing home residents urged lawmakers to pass a bill to increase the Medicaid Personal Needs Allowance (PNA).
Democrat state Rep. Senfronia Thompson introduced HB 54, which would raise the PNA from $60 to $85 monthly if passed. (pdf) PNA is the income nursing home residents receive to pay for items not covered by Medicaid, such as haircuts, clothing, vitamins, books, and vending machine snacks.
A 60-year-old woman told the nine-member committee that she was healthy and independent a few years ago, but she became sick with COVID-19, suffered strokes, and a coma, sending her into a long-term facility….