Over 3,000 Granite Staters depend on the Choices for Independence program (CFI). These are low income, medically vulnerable individuals, ages 18 to 105, who qualify for nursing homes. CFI enables them to remain in their own homes with help from nurses, home health aides, personal care services providers and homemakers. It costs the State approximately $17,500 per year to provide care for a CFI client at home, compared to more than $56,000 for placement in a nursing home. CFI is a good investment. Unfortunately the CFI program has been underfunded for over a decade and as a result, the provider network has deteriorated and our most fragile citizens are going without care. The legislature must confront this crisis by rebasing the rates to stabilize the provider network, enabling home care agencies to invest in their workforce.