Mairead Painter, the state long‑term care ombudsman, told the Aging Committee she supports House Bill 6775 to adjust the personal needs allowance for long‑term care residents, calling Connecticut’s current PNA of $75 “not meeting the cost of living.” Painter cited other states’ levels and urged indexing so residents share in Social Security cost‑of‑living increases.

Painter suggested a model in which the PNA increases by an initial amount and then ties future adjustments to a portion of Social Security COLA. In response to questions, Painter suggested starting with a $50 increase and then tying future increases to 25% of the Social Security COLA when it occurs.

Jean Mills Aranha of Connecticut Legal Services described the practical uses of the PNA for residents — haircuts, clothing, toiletries, snacks, phone service — and said federal law allows states to set PNA as high as $200 per month. She said the PNA’s automatic COLA was eliminated after a reduction in 2011 and that restoring an annual adjustment would help residents maintain dignity and social connection.

Resident testimony underlined the personal impact. John Baliciano, president of a resident council, said the PNA affects everyday dignity: "Our PNA is all we have to pay for things we need...This bill would help by making sure we can afford the things we need. It is more about dignity, independence, and the ability to participate in a simple joy of life." Advocates urged indexing rather than one‑time increases so the allowance keeps pace with inflation.

Lawmakers asked for fiscal notes and comparative data on neighboring states; some members requested a breakdown of prior PNA changes and a projection of fiscal effects if PNA were indexed to a portion of Social Security COLA. Painter and others said the proposed indexing approach would reduce state fiscal exposure by tying benefit change to the timing and size of federal COLAs rather than creating an immediate general‑fund obligation.

Ending: Committee members asked for comparative PNA figures, past fiscal notes and an estimate of the budgetary impact of a proposed indexing approach before acting on HB 6775.