The Fiscal Committee approved item 25 2 2 2 on Sept. 5, authorizing the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to proceed with the Money Follows the Person (MFP) project using federal funds to support transitions from institutional care to home- and community-based services.

Melissa Hardy, division director for long-term supports and services at DHHS, told the committee MFP is "100% federally funded" and provides supports beyond what is available under the state's CFI program, including funding for home furnishings, housing navigation, person-centered planning and specialized case management. Hardy said the program can provide supports up to 365 days post-discharge from an institution.

DHHS said the state received an initial appropriation of $5,000,000 to build project infrastructure and may request additional federal funds as projects develop. Hardy said DHHS successfully sought additional federal approval to use some funds for IT infrastructure to help providers and users access available services.

Committee members questioned the scale of early transition targets. DHHS's operational plan sets year-one targets at five transitions out of nursing homes, ramping to 35 by year five. Hardy acknowledged the targets are "pretty modest" but said they reflect the negotiated protocol with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and that the program just received protocol approval and is beginning transitions.

Hardy described administrative staffing for the program as two DHHS staff who administer MFP and noted the state plans to contract intensive case management and housing navigation services. "When you compare that cost to somebody living in the community versus in an institution," Hardy said, she expects to see cost benefits from community living.

Senator Rosenwald and others pressed for clarity on how MFP differs from existing programs and what costs would be incurred. Senator Carson moved to adopt the item; Senator Gray seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote recorded in the minutes as adopted.