“California Is Ending Its Asset Test For Medicaid Long-Term Care. Is It A Mistake?”

 

“California Is Ending Its Asset Test For Medicaid Long-Term Care. Is It A Mistake?,” by Howard Gleckman, Forbes 

 

 

Quote:

“Soon, California residents with personal care needs will be eligible for Medicaid long-term care no matter how much money and other assets they have. On July 1, the state will increase the program’s asset limit from $2,000 for an individual to $130,000 and from $3,000 for a couple to $195,000. The state plans to end the limit entirely as soon as 2024. At first glance, it seems like a big win for frail older adults in California. But the story is more complicated than it seems. The state estimates the change will benefit only a relatively few people. And it raises an important question: Are California and its older residents better off if the state increases enrollment in Medicaid long-term care or if it adopts a public long-term care insurance program?”

 

 

LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform:

Correct answer: neither. Medicaid caused most of long-term care’s problems, including institutional bias, poor access and quality, and caregiver shortages. Adding more people to Medicaid by increasing the asset limit would be bad enough. But forcing millions onto an even bigger government program would be far worse. For better analysis and solutions that work, read Medicaid and Long-Term Care.