H. B. 2127
(By Delegate Kominar)
[Introduced February 11, 2009; referred to the
Committee on Senior Citizen Issues then Health and Human
Resources then Finance.]
A BILL to amend
the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-21, relating to
providing for a pilot project intended to divert low-income
residents from early institutionalization in nursing homes by
providing personal home care in their communities.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended
by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-21, to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
§9-5-21. Pilot project to reduce Medicaid budget by reducing early
institutionalization.
The Department of Health and Human Resources services shall
develop and implement during the fiscal year beginning July 1,
2009, a pilot program consisting of a project-based assisted living Medicaid waiver to be allocated to the housing authorities for the
cities of Williamson, Wheeling and Moundsville. The pilot program
is intended to divert nursing home admission and to pay for
services for low-income elderly in their licensed personal care
homes. The department may contract directly with the housing
authorities in each of these cities to utilize their facilities for
Medicaid eligible residents at high risk for nursing home
placement.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide for a pilot
project intended to divert low-income residents from early
institutionalization in nursing homes by providing personal home
care in their communities.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.