MCH Resident Leads Push for Fair Allowance

A Monroe Community Hospital (MCH) resident is leading a statewide effort to raise New York’s Personal Needs Allowance (PNA), which has not increased in nearly four decades and remains just $50 a month to cover nursing home residents’ personal expenses.

Deb Leary has partnered with the New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman program, which advocates for residents in long-term care facilities, to launch an online petition urging state leaders to raise the allowance and tie future increases to inflation.

“I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference this increase could make for the people who rely on the PNA,” Leary said. “It’s about ensuring that residents in nursing homes can maintain a sense of dignity and comfort while living in care facilities.”

Deb Leary

The allowance helps nursing home residents under Medicaid cover out-of-pocket expenses such as clothing, toiletries, haircuts, and other small personal items. The amount has not been raised since 1988, although federal law permits New York State to set it as high as $200, according to the online petition.

“Knowing that this is an issue affecting residents statewide, the Ombudsman program has partnered with Deb to raise awareness and provide an avenue for action,” said New York State Ombudsman Claudette Royal. “Many residents across the state are urging an increase to the Personal Needs Allowance, which can be used for items that facilities don’t supply—such as small gifts or cards for family celebrations, haircuts, perfume, cologne, or even a favorite candy item.”

Deb Leary (center) meets with the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman and other advocates earlier this summer.

Earlier this year, Leary began rallying support at some of the state’s approximately 600 nursing homes to sign the petition. She also worked with other MCH residents to create a public service announcement video, encouraged residents and staff at the hospital to back the initiative, and has been interviewed by Rochester media to bring attention to the issue. “It’s long overdue,” Leary said. “With what I’m doing right now, I sometimes have a hard time sleeping because my mind is racing with everything that still needs to be done. But I won’t stop until residents across New York finally get the dignity and fairness they deserve.”

PERSONAL NEEDS PETITION The Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman has partnered with MCH resident Deb Leary to create an online petition to encourage state leaders to raise the Personal Needs Allowance. To sign or view the petition, visit Increase Resident Personal Needs Allowance Petition or scan the QR code below with your phone.