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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7778

Rep. Subramanyam Introduces the Medicaid PNA Modernization Act to Double Monthly Spending Money for Seniors

Medicaid PNA Modernization Act

19 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would double the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for people living in nursing homes and other institutions covered by Medicaid. For individuals, it goes from $30 to $60; for couples, from $60 to $120. This is money residents can keep for personal expenses like clothing, phone plans, or toiletries.

    From policy text

    “To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase under the Medicaid program the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for institutionalized individuals and couples.”
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  • The current $30/month individual allowance has not been updated by federal law in decades, even as prices for everyday goods have risen sharply. This bill would be the first federal increase, effectively doubling the floor that states must provide.
  • Starting after November 2026, the new allowance amounts would automatically increase whenever Social Security benefits get a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This means nursing home residents' spending money would keep pace with inflation going forward, rather than losing value over time.

    From policy text

    “Whenever benefit amounts under title II of the Social Security Act are increased by any percentage effective with a month after November 2026 as a result of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act, each of the dollar amounts in effect under the previous sentence for the month before such month shall be increased by the same percentage.”
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  • The bill was introduced by Rep. Subramanyam and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It would amend Section 1902(q)(2) of the Social Security Act, which governs Medicaid's treatment of institutionalized individuals' income.

    From policy text

    “Section 1902(q)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(q)(2)) is amended--”
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Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 3, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2026-01-01

If enacted, the new $60/month individual and $120/month couple allowances take effect

Nursing home residents on Medicaid would immediately be able to keep twice as much of their income for personal spending — an extra $30/month for individuals or $60/month for couples

After November 2026

Automatic cost-of-living adjustments begin

After November 2026, the personal needs allowance would automatically increase each year alongside Social Security COLA adjustments, so the money keeps up with rising prices

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Medicaid PNA Modernization Act

Bill NumberHR 7778
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.