Leibham bill on senior care approved by Senate committee
A bill introduced by state Sen. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) aimed at making Wisconsin’s medical assistance (MA) program more efficient was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Public Health, Senior Issues, Long-Term Care, and Job Creation earlier this week.
Sen. Leibham’s proposal, Senate Bill (SB) 96, expands a program that allows MA-qualified senior citizens who are eligible to reside in nursing homes to receive assistance for less-costly community-based health care services.
Specifically, SB 96 would improve and streamline the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (DHS) ability to administer the Community Integration Program II (CIP II).
Currently, DHS allocates CIP II “slots” or positions to Wisconsin’s counties. These CIP II slots allow MA-eligible individuals to receive health-care services from community-based residential facilities, supportive home-care services, respite care and other types of community-based care at a lower cost to the taxpayers than institutionalized nursing home care. According to DHS estimates, providing care to an individual through the CIP II program costs about $77 per day, while nursing home care costs about $123 per day.
“This program gives Wisconsin seniors, who would otherwise be forced to reside in a nursing home, the option to live with more freedom in a community-based assisted-living type facility,” said Sen. Leibham. “The CIP II program saves taxpayers money and expands health care options for Wisconsin seniors and families.”
Sen. Leibham said he appreciated the bipartisan support in the committee and will work with his colleagues to continue moving the proposal through the legislative process. The bill is also supported by the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups and the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations.
Individuals interested in learning more about the CIP II program and Senate Bill 96 are encouraged to contact Sen. Leibham’s office at (888) 295-8750 or Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov.
