Right now, if you or a family member lives in a nursing home on Medicaid, the government only lets them keep $30 a month for personal expenses — things like soap, snacks, or a phone bill. That amount hasn't changed in decades and hasn't kept up with the cost of living. This bill would double it to $60 a month for individuals and $120 for couples, starting January 2026. Going forward, the allowance would automatically increase each year in step with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, so it wouldn't fall behind again. For the roughly 1.4 million Americans in long-term care facilities, it could make a real difference in daily comfort and dignity.
Congressional Summary
Medicaid Personal Needs Allowance Modernization Act or the Medicaid PNA Modernization ActThis bill increases the minimum monthly personal needs allowance under Medicaid for an institutionalized individual and couple from $30 to $60 and from $60 to $120, respectively. (The personal needs allowance is deducted from an individual's total income when determining the individual's contribution to the cost of institutionalized care under Medicaid.)
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2026-03-03
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30