New Hampshire would restrict many Medicaid recipients from getting nursing home care under newly proposed legislation, a stark example of states’ attempts to pare down Medicaid costs.
Sponsored by Rep. Neal Kurk (R), the bill would make it more difficult to qualify for Medicaid if a person transferred assets to family members during a given period beforehand. It would also put stricter limitations on how disabled a beneficiary would have to be before he or she could be admitted to a nursing home.
The bill also would subject nursing homes to stiffer penalties for admitting ineligible people. It would allow the state’s Health and Human Services Department to determine the most appropriate setting for care and would allow patients to choose home- or community-based care, depending on cost.
Additionally, the bill seeks to implement portions of GraniteCare, New Hampshire’s Medicaid reform plan.
