General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'I'm really scared': Elderly and disabled Californians with more than $2,000 could lose Medi-Cal
Newsom has proposed restoring a $2,000 limit on an individuals assets including savings accounts and property other than a home and a car and $3,000 for couples to qualify for Medi-Cal. Anyone 65 and older or disabled who exceeds that limit would be ineligible. Newsom also is proposing a cap on how much home care Medi-Cal enrollees like Soto could receive.
In unveiling the proposal, Newsom said that California has a spending problem and needs to make difficult choices to address the states $12 billion deficit, which he attributed in part to growing Medi-Cal costs. His proposal would save the state $94 million this budget year and more than $500 million the next year, according to the governors budget document.
But health advocates say that its almost impossible for someone to live with just $2,000 in assets in California. Rent often exceeds that amount, and medical expenses not covered by insurance quickly add up.
https://calmatters.org/health/2025/05/medi-cal-assets-newsom-health-insurance/

FirstLight
(15,138 posts)I would also lose my healthcare and would have to sell everything I own to pay for insurance or my regular meds that keep me in remission... The 1x/month shot is over 10K EACH!!!
Not my fault that Insurance companies and pharmaceuticals are busting the banks/insurance companes... maybe they should regulate the insurance and pharma companies instead of screwing over people who need healthcare!
This is bullshit and I am going to look for petitions and email my reps and Newsom's office every day I guess...
Will it help?
AllaN01Bear
(25,341 posts)Warpy
(113,459 posts)which is why Democrats have been stupid in letting Republicans tie social spending to fixed dollar amounts in ANY way.
slightlv
(5,602 posts)Further, they need to rework the formula for our COLA each year to take into account what and how the elderly spend their money. We don't usually buy concert tickets or buy steaks for the barbee for everyone each weekend. We're lucky if we get to eat one solid, nutritious meal a day. And a lot of it is the way they base the formula. (There's a specific name for it, and I can't remember it now).
That said, I was once very intrigued by Newsome. I honestly thought he had presidential chops. But, like Fetterman, he's completely blown himself up in smoke, AFAIC. Balancing the budget on the elderly, disabled, poor, or young is a continuation of republican mean politics, and is disgusting to be proposed by a democrat, IMO. I've probably stomped on toes here, and I apologize, if so. He's just done so much since trump was put into office that, to me, disqualifies him as a Democrat. He *might* be cozy with the New Wave Democrats (business-oriented dems), but I'm an old time FDR booster. I want another FDR... not a republican lite.
Retrograde
(11,119 posts)in much of the state - and good luck if you want to eat or pay for gas/transportation
Ocelot II
(124,962 posts)Bettie
(18,333 posts)so....
Silent Type
(9,663 posts)depleted in a month or two for care and she'll be on Medicaid again. Hope someone finds an answer besides austerity and pain for the sick and poor.
madaboutharry
(41,931 posts)Three hours in the emergency room costs more than that. There are medications that cost that much in a month or two.
And this is advocated by people who will spend $2000 on a pair of shoes or 3x that on a handbag.
It makes me sick.
AllaN01Bear
(25,341 posts)whe do they have to regurgitate this stuff over and over again is beyond me
marybourg
(13,439 posts)Last edited Thu May 29, 2025, 11:36 PM - Edit history (1)
To stir up indignation. Its called pot-stirring. A certain element of our beloved party is notorious for this tactic.
edited to change all to most
AllaN01Bear
(25,341 posts)choie
(5,534 posts)NY's asset test is over $32,000 for one person.
marybourg
(13,439 posts)dsc
(52,947 posts)And then removed. He wishes to restore it. I think the 143000 was a good limit
AllaN01Bear
(25,341 posts)was at thee $2000 limit for working at another job. had to cut back and is now back on medi cal and medi care.
The Blue Flower
(5,883 posts)$8K can be eaten up by medical bills in a couple of hours.
bucolic_frolic
(50,610 posts)It only makes sense to be poor, or very rich. If you penny pinch to be solvent in your old age, you will pay for what the government would otherwise pay for until you are broke. At least under current rules. Starve your life so the state can feed off what you save. Die broke wins. Hate to admit it. Of course with the current mood and party in charge they may stop paying for everything at any point in time.
choie
(5,534 posts)"poor" and still have $2,000 in the bank.
totodeinhere
(13,620 posts)marybourg
(13,439 posts)It doesnt come out of their $2000.
choie
(5,534 posts)Do we leave people with any dignity? I have no problem with my taxes being used to pay for those costs through Medicaid.
marybourg
(13,439 posts)medical security for themselves and their own children, ie. socialized medicine , most will not be happy paying the medical and long term care expenses of people whose net worth, at $32,000, (as allowed in N.Y.) is actually on par with the median for Americans in their 30s ( much of which may actually be in their homes, whereas home are exempt from the Medicaid calculation).
Melon
(347 posts)choie
(5,534 posts)and all the other bullshit in the budget, I'll be concerned about benefits being paid for "with loans".
leftyladyfrommo
(19,812 posts)in a nursing home for 8 years they took all of her savings first an
d then she couldn't have more than $1500 in her account. But she was in a nursing home so her only costs were hair appointments and other small things that she needed. I don't think her savings lasted a year.
My SIL was able to stay at home with Hospice and that was free. They covered her medical costs. I don't think there was any requirement about assets at all.
marybourg
(13,439 posts)if they are judged to be near death.
Medicaid is different. Its meant for people who are indigent and it covers their long-term nursing home care. Some people have to spend down their assets in order to become eligible, but without Medicaid they would not be able to afford the nursing home.
leftyladyfrommo
(19,812 posts)it's $500 a day.
I also read that assisted living costs $3700 a month.
wanderer54
(81 posts)limitation for many years
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,768 posts)choie
(5,534 posts)Newsome has the power to decide what the asset limit will be for Medicaid in California. SSI guidelines are determined by the feds. They are not the same. Unless you're tryinng to give Newsome a pass.
BeerBarrelPolka
(1,768 posts)I happen to be on SSI and was agreeing with the poster.
choie
(5,534 posts)w/Medicaid asset tests.
multigraincracker
(35,725 posts)System like all the other civilized counties. If we get facts out about it, it might get passed after this.
ProfessorGAC
(72,888 posts)This is an idiotic idea.
marybourg
(13,439 posts)choie
(5,534 posts)Medicaid guidelines are set by each state. California is supposed to be more progressive, but I guess Newsome has other ideas.
not fooled
(6,296 posts)because not indexed to inflation.
I get a small rebate on Medicare supplemental insurance from my former employer. As Medicare premiums go up, the rebate does not. Clearly designed to increasingly stick it to the enrollee. Clearly written to screw the public. Disgusting.
Figarosmom
(5,928 posts)It makes him no better than trump.
He better find some other way to meet the budget.
CountAllVotes
(21,770 posts)It is 110,000 people that fit into this category in California, myself being one of them.
I'm so DONE with Newsom!
He can have his French Laundry and go straight to hell w/it!
!!
llmart
(16,435 posts)It's titled "Caregiving" and is very well done. It pained me to watch what some of the people in this country are going through. It also dealt with the history of how ;programs to help the disabled and poverty stricken in this country. Anyone watching that part would clearly see a pattern of how most of these programs started with Democratic Presidents, beginning with FDR.
Ilsa
(62,817 posts)acquire some savings for emergencies and things medicsid doesn't cover? I have a supplemental needs trust set up for my son. My last will & testament divides funds between my other child and the trust.
moonscape
(5,540 posts)got dementia from open brain surgery (clipping an aneurysm.)
When I sold her house and used the equity to buy a smaller home, I worked with an attorney to set up an Irrevocable Special Needs Trust. One of the benefits is that the cash she has in it is not counted when it comes to Social Services, i.e. would not disqualify her, and can be used for her benefit within certain parameters.
Is that what you have for your son?
Ilsa
(62,817 posts)It provides a financial conduit for gifts and inheritance without triggering a stop in financial services.
Tetrachloride
(8,745 posts)Lawyers are innocent.
valleyrogue
(2,113 posts)It shouldn't shock anybody.
choie
(5,534 posts)That threshold is set by the federal government, Medicaid guidelines are set by states. So thats Newsome's choice.
groundloop
(12,967 posts)Wasting time talking about BS like this is just another distraction which will wind up dividing us even more than we already are. UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE NOW!!!!!!!
flashman13
(1,221 posts)choie
(5,534 posts)My state, NY, has a resouce threshold of almost $33,000 and that doesn't include ones primary home. It's goddamn cruel.
CountAllVotes
(21,770 posts)I knew it was too good to be true.
& recommend.
soldierant
(8,571 posts)I guess we should be grateful he is showing us wh he really is befoe he gets any higher office than the one he has.
Katie Porter for Governor!
CountAllVotes
(21,770 posts)It is called the Partnership.
It is a combination of Medi-Cal and Medicaid.
So you are on both if over 65 years old and disabled.
I just got on this last year after only getting $23 a month in help via food stamps after my husband died.
Then all of a sudden it is sign up NOW for Medi-Cal and Medicaid Partnership. And so I did.
The grifter giveth and the grifter taketh it away quickly.
EndlessWire
(7,807 posts)He's like those guys that hate rump's guts until they visit with him, and then are doing trumpian things.
What was it he did. He said the homeless, who by definition are homeless and have no place to go, had to be cleared out of...somewhere. And then he did something I can't remember (so much going on) which was also nasty, and now this.
He's not Presidential quality. But he never was.
Kamala would make a good Governor. I'm starting not to care about anything. Looking forward to Pope Leo, though.
soldierant
(8,571 posts)Hugin
(36,153 posts)In order to receive Medicaid assistance a person literally cant own a pair of shoes.
It achieved this draconian nadir during the last brief Republican majority and the following Democratic majorities have done precious little to change it.
CountAllVotes
(21,770 posts)For the disabled out there and yes, each and every one of "us" is suffering and doing without!
Johnny2X2X
(22,903 posts)I have family and friends that are disabled. They are responsible and live on tight budgets, they are very disciplined and know where every single dollar goes. But they run into this crap all the time, they can't save for emergencies because if they get $2K in their savings their benefits get threatened. So to have any sense of security means stashing cash around the house.
I can't imagine the anxiety of living like that, always knowing you're one accident away from financial ruin. Never being able to save up a significant buffer for fear of losing all you have.
JohnSJ
(98,802 posts)the assets do not contribute to the stupid $2000 limit.
CountAllVotes
(21,770 posts)Very difficult to find someone like this.
I guess I've learned the hard way over the years and that is, I am alone with the disabilities I have. Depending on others is a hardship as I'm in that boat right now.
No help, no food, no nothing at the moment. No way to get around now either.
How long will I be able to go on like this? Had I known Newsom was going to pull the rug out from under me, I might not have sold the car I had a month ago.
marybourg
(13,439 posts)Brainfodder
(7,339 posts)I recall a 20,000 max addition that made it impossible for many in need then and going to 1/10? Absurd, just admit you don't want to help people and own it and FUCK OFF, tyvm.
KentuckyWoman
(7,010 posts)CountAllVotes
(21,770 posts)