Official Site of The State of New Jersey

July 2024

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Efforts to Increase the PNA

A resident-led campaign to raise the personal needs allowance (PNA) got a leg up on June 24, when the state Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee voted 6-0 in favor of Assembly Bill A3908.

Nursing home residents have been circulating petitions and reaching out to legislators for several weeks to support A3908, which would raise the monthly PNA from $50 to $140 and implement annual cost-of-living adjustments.

The advocacy work was rewarded with the committee’s vote, which releases the bill for further action in the Assembly. The next stop is expected to be the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Meanwhile, an identical bill, S3319, has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. The primary sponsors are Sen. Carmen F. Amato Jr. and Sen. Andrew Zwicker.

Ultimately, the legislation must pass the Assembly and Senate and be signed by Gov. Phil Murphy to become law.

Looking to get involved? Contact Community Engagement at 1-609-690-4740 or community@ltco.nj.gov. Please give your name and contact information.

Visit our website for updates on the bill and other pending legislation.

LTCO Volunteers Praised at Elder Abuse Awareness Event

Certified Volunteer Advocates (CVAs) who visit nursing homes across New Jersey were celebrated June 14 during a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event.

Thank you to the Office of the Attorney General, the Medicaid Fraud Unit, Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, and the New Jersey Elder Protection Task Force for hosting and honoring our CVAs, including Janet Fox, who was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.

Visit our website for news and photos from the event.

The Legacy of Olmstead: Life Outside the Nursing Home

Jane Koza is living her best life in the five years since she left a nursing home for a home of her own in the community. She is one of 4,400+ people who made that life-changing move thanks to a federally funded partnership called I Choose Home NJ.

The program was a by-product of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W., which established that unnecessary institutionalization constitutes unlawful discrimination.

Read the full story.