Florida has managed this slice of Medicaid well - St. Petersburg Times

Florida has managed this slice of Medicaid well - St. Petersburg Times--so the question should be why is the legislature is trying to turn the program upside down.

Proposed Medicaid Reform Based on Misconceptions

While it is common knowledge that there are budget issues in Florida, much of the Medicaid Reform proposal appears to be based on misconception, misinformation and misunderstanding.  This can lead to a bill that slashes critically needed care for our senior citizens as it cuts funds.

Misconception #1

Most people hide assets in order to qualify for Medicaid.  Therefore, they are draining taxpayer dollars, helping to make Medicaid a program that is a financial burden on the state.

Fact

The vast majority of the individuals have very few assets outside their home, limited retirement income and personal belongings.  When they need nursing home care, they face costs of more than $7,500 per

month, which can quickly drain life savings.  In fact, you can’t be eligible for Medicaid unless you have less than $2,000 in countable assets.

Misconception #2

People apply for Medicaid to avoid having to buy long-term health care insurance.

Fact

The fact is that Medicaid recipients cannot obtain long-term care insurance because of their existing illnesses that require long-term care.

Misconception #3

Family members who become primary caregivers for their ill parents do not need to get paid for doing so.

Fact

Many of these family members must quit their jobs or work part time in order to provide care.  The state now allows them to get paid but Medicaid reform wants to eliminate that.  Studies show that family

caregivers who don’t get paid suffer more health and economic problems than those who do.

Misconception #4

Shifting Medicaid recipients to for-profit HMOs, like the reform proposal wants to do, will not affect care.

Fact

A pilot program in South Florida shows just the opposite.  Many people who need care haven’t been able to find it in a timely manner, and have had HMOs refuse to pay for medications and essential services.

Everyone understands that Florida has budget problems that must be addressed. However, Medicaid recipients are the sickest and frailest among us and they need the most support to avoid further catastrophic injury or financial burden.  That will not come by shifting their care to for-profit companies that will reduce and even deny necessary care and medications under the guise of controlling costs.

Please urge your legislative representative to vote against any legislation that makes our most vulnerable even more so.

JAIL'S & NURSING HOMES

In the spirit of looking at how to change the current financing of senior care the following plan was devised. I think it has some merit and would encourage people to give it careful consideration.

Section 1: Transfer all seniors living in facilities to jail.

This would correct two things in one motion:

A. SENIORS IN JAIL:

1. Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.

2. They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical
treatment, wheel chairs, etc.

3. They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.

4. They would have constant video monitoring, so they would be helped
instantly if they fell or needed assistance.

5. Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and
returned to them.
6. A guard would check on them every 20 minutes.

7. All meals and snacks would be brought to them

8. They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.

9. They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual
counseling, a pool and education.

10. Free admission to in-house concerts by nationally recognized
entertainment artists.

11. Simple clothing - I.e. Shoes, slippers, PJ's - and legal aid would be
free, upon request.

12. There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor
exercise yard complete with gardens.

13. Each senior would have a P.C., T.V., phone and radio in their room at no
cost.

14. They would receive daily phone calls.

15. There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints and the ACLU
would fight for their rights and protection.

16. The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered to, with
attorneys available, at no charge to protect the seniors and their families
from abuse or neglect.

Section 2 Take all criminals and place them in skilled nursing facilities

1. They would receive cold food.
2. They would be left undersupervised.
3. They would receive showers once a week.
4. They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000
per month.
5. They would have no hope of ever getting out.


"Sounds like justice to me!"

Let me know what you think!

Attack on American Family??

Families often must leave their jobs to take care of their parents or loved ones.  This creates a loss of income to the family’s budget.  To illustrate, consider the daughter who quits a job paying $24,000 a year to take care of her mother.  Daughter’s family now must make it on $24,000 less.  A common long term care plan will take into consideration family members who suffer this type of loss and attempt make up for it.

In Florida, a common process is for the ill family member to compensate their family for helping them.  Without the family the only alternative is to hire corporations to take care of the sick individual or potentially place the sick family member in a facility before it is necessary. 

However, the Florida legislature is now attacking this type of planning.  The theory is that families are obtaining government benefits by “giving” all their money to their family.  The result of this legislation would cause families to pick between caring for their parents/spouses or risking their financial future. 

This logic is flawed for several reasons.  First, gifts to family members are already penalized under both Federal and State law; therefore, if this is a gift there will be a penalty.  Second, the contract must be an arm’s length transaction (i.e. tax’s are reported and a fair wage is set).  Third, the same money (often at a higher rate) will be paid to another non- family member individual. 

Finally, supporters of this legislation will say that families do not spend the money but hold it for the sick individual.  Assuming this is correct.  SO WHAT!  The money has been taxed just as any other earned income is taxed.  Using this logic no one should spend any of their money on their ill family. 

At a time when we are see the importance of family support in the wake of the horror in Japan.  Why the legislature has picked a fight with the American family is unknown.  These measures will have no cost savings.  They will not reduce the budget.  They may help some corporations but not in a significant way as many seniors will simply turn their back on private support, or families will put their financial future at risk to care for their loved ones.  I would recommend people in Florida contact their representatives and senators and ask them why families shouldn’t be allowed to help families without risking their financial future.