GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 101*

Short Title:  Increase In-Home Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Edwards; Aldridge, Buchanan, Culp, Gardner, Howard, Justus, Luebke, and Sexton.

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Referred to:  Appropriations-Subcommittee on Human Resources.

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February 2, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR IN-HOME AIDE SERVICES AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT SERVICES.
Whereas, the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging finds that an increasing portion of North Carolina's population is living to an older age and requires an increasing amount of services and assistance; and
Whereas, North Carolina is facing an age wave with the 85+ population group growing fastest and placing the greatest demands on our long-term care system; and
Whereas, the number of frail older adults living in the community is increasing and is projected to be 78,000 in 1996 increasing to 104,000 by 2010; and
Whereas, the Commission finds that the elderly desire to maintain as much independence and dignity as possible and prefer to remain in the home and community whenever practicable; and
Whereas, due to insufficient funding there are 9,000+ older adults waiting for services to help them stay at home and avoid institutionalization; and
Whereas, the Commission finds that a broad array of services that support persons who remain in the home and community should be provided; and
Whereas, the Commission finds that health care needs, as well as other needs and desires, sometimes remain unmet because of the elderly's difficulty in getting to providers; and
Whereas, the Commission finds that North Carolina can best be served by increasing and improving the delivery of in-home services to the elderly; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Resources the sum of eight million three hundred nineteen thousand one hundred eighty-six dollars ($8,319,186) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of thirteen million six hundred eighty-five thousand three hundred ten dollars ($13,685,310) for the 1996-97 fiscal year to fund in-home aide services and caregiver support services.
Sec. 2.  These funds shall be used only for direct services.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.