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demmiblue

(38,367 posts)
Thu May 29, 2025, 07:32 PM Thursday

'I'm really scared': Elderly and disabled Californians with more than $2,000 could lose Medi-Cal

Cynde Soto, a quadriplegic who requires around-the-clock care, has been on Medi-Cal for most of her life. Recently, she came into a modest inheritance, about $8,000, that has helped cover her daily expenses. But it also means that she would lose her state health insurance under a proposal from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom has proposed restoring a $2,000 limit on an individual’s 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 state’s $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 governor’s budget document.

But health advocates say that it’s 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/
64 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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'I'm really scared': Elderly and disabled Californians with more than $2,000 could lose Medi-Cal (Original Post) demmiblue Thursday OP
That $2000 rule is bullshit! FirstLight Thursday #1
i agee. AllaN01Bear Thursday #3
It probably looked generous when it was enacted Warpy Thursday #20
All social spending should be indexed. slightlv Thursday #38
$2K is barely a month's rent Retrograde Yesterday #62
Newsom is a Democrat? Ocelot II Thursday #2
Well, he says he is Bettie Thursday #11
Think most states have a cruel/criminal $2000 or so cap. Unfortunately, if she loses Medicaid, that $8000 will be Silent Type Thursday #4
How could anyone think that.having $2000 enables a person to pay medical bills. madaboutharry Thursday #5
please note : i am on medi cal and that $ 2000 t limit on assets has been on the books for years . AllaN01Bear Thursday #6
I think most states have the same limit. But as to why it's being regurgitated: marybourg Thursday #12
thanks. AllaN01Bear Thursday #14
That's not true at all. choie Thursday #36
You're right. I should have said most states. NY is an outlier. marybourg Thursday #43
It was till 2022 then it was at first relaxed dsc Thursday #16
my male heath caare worker was on medical until a whle ago and was cut off because he AllaN01Bear Thursday #24
That's just cruel The Blue Flower Thursday #7
Asset tests will become more common for many types of benefits bucolic_frolic Thursday #8
Someome can be considered choie Thursday #34
One day in the hospital would use up that $2,000 and more. n/t totodeinhere Thursday #9
They are on Medicaid (MediCal). You are paying their hospital bill. marybourg Thursday #17
oh for fuck's sake. choie Thursday #33
Until everybody can depend on marybourg Friday #46
The problem is your taxes don't cover.we are upside down. It's paid with loans. Melon Friday #57
When people are this concerned about the taxes we pay for defense choie Friday #60
When my mother in Washington State was leftyladyfrommo Friday #55
Yes, hospice is Medicare. No income or asset test. Everyone on Medicare is eligible marybourg Friday #56
My neice works in a care center. She said leftyladyfrommo Friday #59
SSI recipients have been under the $2,,000 asset wanderer54 Thursday #10
Exactly BeerBarrelPolka Thursday #19
And? choie Thursday #35
Stop! BeerBarrelPolka Thursday #40
The poster is wrong to equate SSI asset tests choie Thursday #41
It's time for us to demand a "Single Payer" multigraincracker Thursday #13
Two Grand Is Stupid Low ProfessorGAC Thursday #15
That's pretty much how Medicaid works in the rest of the country. marybourg Thursday #18
Not in New York choie Thursday #32
And designed to be more idiotic with the passage of time not fooled Thursday #25
When Newsom hits the disabled Figarosmom Thursday #21
Looked into this futher CountAllVotes Yesterday #64
Just watched an excellent program on PBS. llmart Thursday #22
Can a Trust be legally set up to allow disabled to Ilsa Thursday #23
I manage the affairs of a childhood friend who moonscape Thursday #44
Pretty much, just slightly different name. Ilsa Friday #45
tax everyone and give tax benefits to everyone. Let God sort them out. Tetrachloride Thursday #26
It's similar to the rule for receiving SSI. valleyrogue Thursday #27
Yes it should. choie Thursday #31
This is BS, The Real Discussion Needs to be "WHEN DO WE GET UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE?" groundloop Thursday #28
Clearly Newsom is auditioning for a seat on Trump's cabinet. flashman13 Thursday #29
That is despicable. choie Thursday #30
Well that didn't last very long CountAllVotes Thursday #37
WTF is wrong with Gavin Newsom? soldierant Thursday #39
Newsom is fucking the disabled over real good w/this CountAllVotes Thursday #42
Yeah EndlessWire Friday #48
he would - is she running? Katie definitely is. soldierant Friday #54
It's like that around here. Hugin Friday #47
a.m. kick CountAllVotes Friday #49
It's just sad Johnny2X2X Friday #50
It is bullshit. What they need to do to get around this is transfer assets to a reliable relative or close friend so JohnSJ Friday #51
a reliable relative or close friend CountAllVotes Friday #53
Google "lookback period". marybourg Yesterday #61
$2000 in 2025 is ridiculous. Brainfodder Friday #52
K and R KentuckyWoman Friday #58
K&R CountAllVotes Yesterday #63

FirstLight

(15,138 posts)
1. That $2000 rule is bullshit!
Thu May 29, 2025, 07:38 PM
Thursday

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?

Warpy

(113,459 posts)
20. It probably looked generous when it was enacted
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:16 PM
Thursday

which is why Democrats have been stupid in letting Republicans tie social spending to fixed dollar amounts in ANY way.

slightlv

(5,602 posts)
38. All social spending should be indexed.
Thu May 29, 2025, 10:04 PM
Thursday

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)
62. $2K is barely a month's rent
Sat May 31, 2025, 01:29 AM
Yesterday

in much of the state - and good luck if you want to eat or pay for gas/transportation

Silent Type

(9,663 posts)
4. Think most states have a cruel/criminal $2000 or so cap. Unfortunately, if she loses Medicaid, that $8000 will be
Thu May 29, 2025, 07:51 PM
Thursday

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)
5. How could anyone think that.having $2000 enables a person to pay medical bills.
Thu May 29, 2025, 08:00 PM
Thursday

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)
6. please note : i am on medi cal and that $ 2000 t limit on assets has been on the books for years .
Thu May 29, 2025, 08:06 PM
Thursday

whe do they have to regurgitate this stuff over and over again is beyond me

marybourg

(13,439 posts)
12. I think most states have the same limit. But as to why it's being regurgitated:
Thu May 29, 2025, 08:56 PM
Thursday

Last edited Thu May 29, 2025, 11:36 PM - Edit history (1)

To stir up indignation. It’s called “pot-stirring”. A certain element of our beloved party is notorious for this tactic.







edited to change “all” to “most”

dsc

(52,947 posts)
16. It was till 2022 then it was at first relaxed
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:06 PM
Thursday

And then removed. He wishes to restore it. I think the 143000 was a good limit

AllaN01Bear

(25,341 posts)
24. my male heath caare worker was on medical until a whle ago and was cut off because he
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:34 PM
Thursday

was at thee $2000 limit for working at another job. had to cut back and is now back on medi cal and medi care.

bucolic_frolic

(50,610 posts)
8. Asset tests will become more common for many types of benefits
Thu May 29, 2025, 08:08 PM
Thursday

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.

marybourg

(13,439 posts)
17. They are on Medicaid (MediCal). You are paying their hospital bill.
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:10 PM
Thursday

It doesn’t come out of their $2000.

choie

(5,534 posts)
33. oh for fuck's sake.
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:56 PM
Thursday

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)
46. Until everybody can depend on
Fri May 30, 2025, 04:49 AM
Friday

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 30’s ( much of which may actually be in their homes, whereas home are exempt from the Medicaid calculation).


choie

(5,534 posts)
60. When people are this concerned about the taxes we pay for defense
Fri May 30, 2025, 11:35 PM
Friday

and all the other bullshit in the budget, I'll be concerned about benefits being paid for "with loans".

leftyladyfrommo

(19,812 posts)
55. When my mother in Washington State was
Fri May 30, 2025, 09:12 PM
Friday

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)
56. Yes, hospice is Medicare. No income or asset test. Everyone on Medicare is eligible
Fri May 30, 2025, 10:13 PM
Friday

if they are judged to be near death.

Medicaid is different. It’s 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)
59. My neice works in a care center. She said
Fri May 30, 2025, 11:22 PM
Friday

it's $500 a day.

I also read that assisted living costs $3700 a month.

choie

(5,534 posts)
35. And?
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:59 PM
Thursday

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.

multigraincracker

(35,725 posts)
13. It's time for us to demand a "Single Payer"
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:00 PM
Thursday

System like all the other civilized counties. If we get facts out about it, it might get passed after this.

choie

(5,534 posts)
32. Not in New York
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:54 PM
Thursday

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)
25. And designed to be more idiotic with the passage of time
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:34 PM
Thursday

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)
21. When Newsom hits the disabled
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:18 PM
Thursday

It makes him no better than trump.

He better find some other way to meet the budget.

CountAllVotes

(21,770 posts)
64. Looked into this futher
Sat May 31, 2025, 12:15 PM
Yesterday

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)
22. Just watched an excellent program on PBS.
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:19 PM
Thursday

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)
23. Can a Trust be legally set up to allow disabled to
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:27 PM
Thursday

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)
44. I manage the affairs of a childhood friend who
Thu May 29, 2025, 11:46 PM
Thursday

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)
45. Pretty much, just slightly different name.
Fri May 30, 2025, 12:15 AM
Friday

It provides a financial conduit for gifts and inheritance without triggering a stop in financial services.

choie

(5,534 posts)
31. Yes it should.
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:52 PM
Thursday

That threshold is set by the federal government, Medicaid guidelines are set by states. So thats Newsome's choice.

groundloop

(12,967 posts)
28. This is BS, The Real Discussion Needs to be "WHEN DO WE GET UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE?"
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:44 PM
Thursday

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!!!!!!!

choie

(5,534 posts)
30. That is despicable.
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:49 PM
Thursday

My state, NY, has a resouce threshold of almost $33,000 and that doesn't include ones primary home. It's goddamn cruel.

soldierant

(8,571 posts)
39. WTF is wrong with Gavin Newsom?
Thu May 29, 2025, 10:07 PM
Thursday

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)
42. Newsom is fucking the disabled over real good w/this
Thu May 29, 2025, 10:32 PM
Thursday

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)
48. Yeah
Fri May 30, 2025, 06:17 AM
Friday

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.

Hugin

(36,153 posts)
47. It's like that around here.
Fri May 30, 2025, 05:41 AM
Friday

In order to receive Medicaid assistance a person literally can’t 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)
49. a.m. kick
Fri May 30, 2025, 09:38 AM
Friday

For the disabled out there and yes, each and every one of "us" is suffering and doing without!



Johnny2X2X

(22,903 posts)
50. It's just sad
Fri May 30, 2025, 10:07 AM
Friday

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)
51. It is bullshit. What they need to do to get around this is transfer assets to a reliable relative or close friend so
Fri May 30, 2025, 10:22 AM
Friday

the assets do not contribute to the stupid $2000 limit.


CountAllVotes

(21,770 posts)
53. a reliable relative or close friend
Fri May 30, 2025, 12:10 PM
Friday

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.





Brainfodder

(7,339 posts)
52. $2000 in 2025 is ridiculous.
Fri May 30, 2025, 10:29 AM
Friday

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.


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