“Fact Check: Will making WA Cares optional force seniors into poverty?,” by Elizabeth Hovde, Washington Policy Center

“If voters approve an initiative allowing participation in the state’s WA Cares program to be optional, would it ‘continue to force’ seniors to spend themselves into poverty? The short and not-simple answer is: No. … It is not a secret that people use Medicaid to pay for LTC needs, allowing them to keep their savings and investments for heirs and use taxpayer financing for long-term care. Stephen Moses, president of the Center for Long-Term Care Reform, writes in a recent article that Americans spent $530 billion on LTC in 2021. A small amount of that — just 12% — was made up of out-of-pocket expenditures or people using their income or savings. Meanwhile, research shows many older adults can finance a substantial amount of paid home care out of pocket with their savings and assets, if required. While most people don’t consume their life savings paying for long-term care, despite what Washington state’s marketing campaign for WA Cares and some lawmakers suggest, a lot of people do take advantage of Medicaid and let other taxpayers pick up the tab for their long-term care.”

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

The WA Cares program was built on a false premise this article lays bare. For more supporting evidence and arguments, see the Paragon Health Institute’s “Long-Term Care: The Problem” and “Long-Term Care: The Solution” and watch this “virtual LTC event” featuring age wave visionary Ken Dychtwald and leading LTC researchers.