The House passed House Bill 266, sponsored by Sheriff Wiley, to raise the Medicaid personal‑needs allowance for residents of health care facilities from $38 per month to a higher amount; Wiley and supporters described the increase as targeted aid for low‑income residents in nursing homes.

“25,000 people in Louisiana live in nursing homes today,” Sheriff Wiley told the chamber, laying out the history of the allowance and arguing the monthly $38 payment had not kept pace with cost increases. Wiley said the proposal would set the allowance at up to $50 and that the Louisiana Department of Health had announced an administrative increase to $45 effective this summer, reducing the bill’s fiscal impact.

The bill’s nut graf: supporters emphasized the allowance pays for small daily needs — clothes, toiletries, snacks, and occasional outings — that are not covered by facility charges; critics questioned long‑term Medicaid expansion and fiscal limits.

On the floor Wiley described the practical use of the allowance and how it is disbursed: “The check goes to the nursing home and they disseminate it monthly. Sometimes in cash, sometimes, by check, sometimes a mix of both,” Wiley said when asked how the allowance is handled. Members asked whether residents actually receive the funds or whether they remain in facility accounts; Wiley said his information indicated the allowance is used for personal purchases and activities.

Wiley also offered an amendment (set 35‑87) that made the increase subject to appropriation and set the bill’s effective date upon the governor’s signature; the amendment was adopted without objection on the floor. Wiley said the fiscal note had initially estimated roughly $900,000 per year for the $12 increase, but because LDH planned an administrative increase to $45 the net fiscal impact would be roughly 40 percent of that estimate.

The measure drew bipartisan support from members who described personal familiarity with family members in facilities and said the current allowance is inadequate. Representative Marcel and Representative Taylor voiced support on the floor; Representative McCormick spoke briefly to explain a fiscal‑restraint position he sometimes takes on Medicaid matters but did not oppose the bill.

The House adopted the bill on final passage; the clerk recorded 87 yays and 5 nays.

Votes at a glance
House Bill 266 — Amendment 35‑87 adopted; final passage recorded in the transcript as 87 yays, 5 nays.