Residents and Friends,

Do you need more than $50 per month for your personal needs allowance (PNA)? Currently that is the amount determined by the Iowa State Legislation for Medicaid recipients living in nursing homes. That amount has not been increased since 2001, 21 years ago. By partaking in this petition, you agree that Medicaid PNA should be raised to $85 per month. 

Please consider that inflation has increased 8.8% this year alone and the cost of goods has risen. Just imagine what has been over the last 21 years without an increase in our monthly allowance.

Residents are responsible for providing their own items which include: clothing, shoes, assistive devices, tobacco, stationary, snacks/pop, and personal toiletries for skin, gum or scalp conditions, amongst other things. Beyond just those items they have expenses such as hair cuts, personal phones, and subscriptions from reading to leisure entertainment streaming services, the current PNA no longer covers these costs. 

Social security cost of living increases do not affect our monthly PNA amount. The nursing home gets any increase for our continued care. Residents only get the Medicaid monthly PNA, year after year regardless of social security changes. COULD YOU LIVE ON $50 PER MONTH?

Please help the forgotten nursing home residents many of whom have no family left to help them, they are counting on you. Thank you from the Aspire of Washington Residents.