H.B. 777
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
May 3, 2021
SESSION 2021 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH10387-MGa-164
Short Title: Expand Project C.A.R.E./Funds. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative von Haefen.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
3 SERVICES, DIVISION OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES, FOR EXPANSION OF
4 THE PROJECT CAREGIVER ALTERNATIVES TO RUNNING ON EMPTY (PROJECT
5 C.A.R.E.) PROGRAM.
6 Whereas, the Alzheimer's Association projects that by 2025 an estimated 210,000
7 North Carolinians (age 65 and older) will have Alzheimer's disease, which represents a 16.7%
8 increase from 180,000 persons in 2020; and
9 Whereas, Medicaid costs are projected to increase 22.2% during this five-year period
10 for persons with Alzheimer's disease; and
11 Whereas, in North Carolina, much of the care provided for individuals with
12 Alzheimer's is by an estimated 479,000 unpaid caregivers with the cost of care valued at
13 approximately $7.15 billion in 2019; and
14 Whereas, the costs of health care and long-term care services for individuals living
15 with dementia are substantially higher than for those without dementia, which adds a financial
16 burden to the physical, emotional, and social challenges families encounter in providing care to
17 loved ones with dementia; and
18 Whereas, Project C.A.R.E. provides caregivers of individuals living with dementia
19 care consultation services, including dementia specific information, caregiver assessments and
20 individualized care plans, caregiver education, and connections to community-based services and
21 resources; Now, therefore,
22 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
23 SECTION 1. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
24 Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, the sum of five hundred
25 seventy-five thousand dollars ($575,000) in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and the
26 sum of five hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($575,000) in recurring funds for the
27 2022-2023 fiscal year to expand the Project Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty
28 Program (Project C.A.R.E.), which provides support to individuals with dementia and their
29 caregivers. It is the intent of the General Assembly to increase by ten percent (10%) each fiscal
30 year the amount of recurring funds appropriated to the Department of Health and Human
31 Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, for allocation to Project C.A.R.E.
32 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.
*DRH10387-MGa-164*