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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Phyllis Mundy |
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Mundy reintroduces bill to expand access to family caregiver program
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, today reintroduced her proposal to expand access to the Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Support Program.
Since 1990, the Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Support Program has provided financial support for those caring for an older relative at home. Mundy says the program is being underutilized – despite increasing demand – and has reintroduced legislation (H.B. 245) that would expand eligibility and increase monthly reimbursements and the amount of one-time grants for home modification and assistive devices.
"Current state law requires that caregivers must reside with and be related to the patient, but many older Pennsylvanians are cared for by family friends or neighbors who at this point don’t qualify for this financial assistance," Mundy said.
Mundy’s legislation would expand program eligibility by removing the relationship and residency requirements. The bill would also increase monthly reimbursements from $200 to $500 and one-time grants from $2,000 to $6,000. This change would not have an adverse impact on the state budget or taxpayers because the department would run the program within existing state appropriations.
"I want to ensure that we are fully utilizing state funding that’s already available for this program," Mundy said. "These caregivers serve a specific niche in the health-care system by allowing older residents to age at home and by providing care that is less costly than nursing home care."
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