TX repukes go after Granny/Grandpa's personal hygiene stipend

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/legislature/socialservices/stories/052805dntexpoor.edcc5293.html


Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, also tried to increase stipends used by nursing home residents to buy personal hygiene products. The personal needs allowance is now at $45, down from the level it was at in previous years.

She wants about $13 million to lift the allowance to about $60.

"They're not asking to go to Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue," Ms. Thompson said. "They're asking to go to Wal-Mart."

Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, suggested concerns about the program were overblown.

"I've got to tell you that I don't spend that much money a month on my deodorant, my toothpaste and my toothbrush and those things," she said. "Isn't this a case of giving them pocket money that's probably more than they need for basic expenditures on a monthly basis?"


Her contact info
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist105/harper-brown.htm


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And then tie an "increase" in Medicaid funding to people's ****electricity use****

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/legislature/socialservices/stories/061105dntexbudget.135ce6fbb.html

At least two moves by lawmakers to restore Medicaid services might not be as restorative as they first appeared.

Advocates for the poor say a closer look shows that additional counseling for poor mentally ill adults will be funded only if electricity use in some parts of the state increases up to 10 percent. The Medicaid boost was funded through utility taxes.

<snip>

Some mental health advocates say they were told the money would be there.

Terry Hadley, a spokesman for the Public Utility Commission, said the comptroller's projections are "in line with our estimate as well" – meaning it will take heavy power consumption to pay for the counseling.

[jackster]

1. well for one thing you idiot Harper-Brown...

these people often need products such as DEPENDS that are very expensive. I know of some seniors who are home-bound because they cannot afford them and do not want to be away from their home and have an "accident!"

[eleny]

2. Nursing home residents also use that $ to get hair care, too

I wonder how much Harper-Brown spends on her hair each month? The money is for little incidentals that anyone might like to have. I guess the Rep. just wants them warehoused without dignity.

[ollie79]

3. Being from Texas

She prob spends about $500

Sorry Texans, you know how those big hair gun toting dolls are.