Kane County Reporter

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is checking the fine print on a bill that seeks to change the medical assistance article in the public aid code to require the community spouse resource allowance to be established and maintained at the maximum amount permitted under a specified provision of the Social Security Act.

“Do we have any idea what the cost is for this?” Syverson asked witness Steve Anderson of the AARP. “What will the revenue loss be to the state by making this change?”

While Anderson was short on answers, he said at this point no one can be sure because the agency still doesn’t have complete data from HFS related to the program.

“So in that scenario, you’re saying a person with that higher income threshold, why would they have to spend down to $109,000 in two months?” Syverson pressed, prompting Anderson to respond “What I’m saying is that’s currently what it is and we’re asking that it be brought up to the federal minimum of $137,400. I’m not saying they’ll have to spend down to $109, I’m saying your question is 'what’s the difference?' The difference is about $26,000 they get to keep extra, that’s a couple of months at most for private nursing care. Within a calendar year, HFS would be paying anyway.”

Introduced just before Christmas, the bill went on to pass the Senate Health Committee by a 13-0 vote. It is now slated to be heard on a second reading before the full Senate on Feb. 1.