THE TESTIMONY FOCUSES ON COMPLAINTS THAT CITIZENS SEEKING TO PLACE MEDICAID-ELIGIBLE CLIENTS IN NURSING HOMES ARE BEING ASKED TO MAKE A 'CONTRIBUTION' TO THE HOMES AS A CONDITION OF ADMISSION. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES REPORTS THAT THE CONTRIBUTIONS RANGE FROM $50 TO $400 A MONTH. STATE OFFICIALS DESCRIBE THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THE STATE HANDLES COMPLAINTS. SIX CONSUMERS TESTIFY ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH NURSING HOME CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS. ONE CONSUMER, A LIAISON BETWEEN SENIOR CITIZENS AND NURSING HOME AND GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES, CRITICIZES THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE INADEQUACY OF THE MEDICAID CONTRIBUTION TO NURSING HOME CARE OF INDIGENT PEOPLE. A STATE SENATOR FROM FLORIDA DISCUSSES THE STATE'S NURSING HOME REFORM ACT AND EMPHASIZES THAT THE STATE SHOULD BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MONITORING NURSING HOMES. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY COUNTER ALLEGATIONS OF MEDICAID ABUSE, EMPHASIZING THAT MEDICAID PAYMENTS TO NURSING HOMES ARE INSUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR PATIENT CARE. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING THE REPORT OF A SURVEY OF NURSING HOME MANAGEMENT IN FLORIDA, IS APPENDED.