(a) The General Assembly finds that:(1) Residents in Arkansas' long-term care facilities are particularly vulnerable to the theft or illegal diversion of personal funds designated as residents' share of cost under the Arkansas Medicaid Program;(2) The theft or illegal diversion of residents' share of cost under the program has an adverse impact on the resources available to ensure high-quality care for all facility residents; and(3) This section and § 20-10-110 are necessary to:(A) Protect long-term care residents' rights;(B) Provide appropriate resources for residents' care; and(C) Ensure that residents' funds designated to pay for long-term care are used for that purpose.
(1) Residents in Arkansas' long-term care facilities are particularly vulnerable to the theft or illegal diversion of personal funds designated as residents' share of cost under the Arkansas Medicaid Program;
(2) The theft or illegal diversion of residents' share of cost under the program has an adverse impact on the resources available to ensure high-quality care for all facility residents; and
(3) This section and § 20-10-110 are necessary to:(A) Protect long-term care residents' rights;(B) Provide appropriate resources for residents' care; and(C) Ensure that residents' funds designated to pay for long-term care are used for that purpose.
(A) Protect long-term care residents' rights;
(B) Provide appropriate resources for residents' care; and
(C) Ensure that residents' funds designated to pay for long-term care are used for that purpose.
(b) The General Assembly intends that this section and § 20-10-110 affect individuals who intentionally steal or divert residents' share of cost and not change the obligations or responsibilities of residents of long-term care facilities or deter legitimate disputes over the amount of a resident's share of cost.