A story on Medicaid

[LilElf70]

Early 2000's, both of my parents had to go on Medicare and then Medicaid. Here's the story.

My father had saved well over a million by the time he retired in the 1990's. They lived a good life to that date. He was very frugal about saving money prior to retirement. They fell in love with the lifestyle in Florida and moved there 1/2 of the year, 1/2 of the year in the midwest. He kept his home. therefore owning 2 properties. This lasted 8 years, until they started getting sick and moved back to the midwest. I had no idea how much money he had at any time. After 6 months moving back , they realized they had to sell their house and move into an apartment due to lack of funds. I got involved when the finance company called and wanted to take his car for insufficient payments. They finally told me the story that they were close to being broke. I bailed them out from under the car fiasco, and made sure they were safely moved to the apartment. This was a huge step down, but they were able to make it on their social security alone for a while.

Bottom line was they eventually had to be put in a nursing home, and the only way that would happen is if the nursing home took all of their SS monies, leaving them 30 bucks a month for personal items (haircuts, etc). They also had to apply for Medicaid, which they did receive. The nursing home took it all. Total of SS and Medicare./Medicaid was still not enough to cover the bills for their monthly dues for the nursing home. Not to mention that he lost his doctor and had to use nursing home docs as their PCP. Any shortage on monthly bills, plus any hospital or outside doctor bills were either written off or the government paid it off. I suspect the latter.

With Trumps cuts to Medicaid, and I don't know the specifics, this can't be good for the recipient of Medicaid. How will we the people survive this as we reach the last several years of our lives? And believe me, 90% of us will eventually go broke before we die. As a result, acceptance to nursing homes will most likely be eliminated if they are not guaranteed the Medicaid funds. They are already pointing out how disastrous this will be, not only to the nursing home, but the people would not get proper care. I see life expectancy going down drastically. Not to mention the bearing on working families that will have to somehow take care of their parents. What about people with no children? It surely don't look good for anyone.

All of this because of Trump, and the corrupt party he is in control of. On top of the cuts, he wants to increase our debt by 3 TRILLION dollars. I wonder if he wrote about this in the "Art of the deal"? He's grifting his base and giving tax breaks to his buddies.

How can we as a country not see what is going on here, and legally stop him. This is insanity to the nth degree. I personally don't see how we as the richest country in the world can allow this to happen. Bernie is right on. This is a death sentence for Americans. IT MUST BE STOPPED.

It's obvious to me that if the Democrats do not get control of the house and/or senate next year, our democracy will be gone. And it make take decades for it to return. Our children and grandchildren will pay dearly.

I never thought this would happen in my lifetime, but here we are. A definitive fork in the road. Which road will we take? Unfortunately I fear the worse. God help us all.

[FalloutShelter]

1. This is close to the story of my parent's end.

Luckily they had the funds to get them to the grave, but their end of life costs were over 3/4!of a million out of pocket WITH Medicare and extended insurance.

My husband and I will not have that grace. Everything will be wiped out.

What this is really about is the total and complete destruction of the middle class. Without inheritance the middle class will collapse.

Congratulations MAGA serfs.

[LilElf70]

3. There are

2.7 Million deaths a year in the US. I am sure a huge percentage of that number have similar stories.

The question is what's next? Trump has turned our country into "me, me me", not "We the people". I am so pissed he not only wants to screw all of us, he wants 3T for his buddies.

[Katinfl]

7. My fear is not leaving my son an inheritance. Right now it looks good, but who knows what will happen.

[LilElf70]

13. Unfortunately

If you have huge hospital bills, nursing home expenses, etc., everything has to be used/spent before you can get the the stage of Medicaid. You must be damn near broke. Medicaid is currently based on what income you have left. Medicaid should be based on age, not what income you have left.

[bamagal62]

53. Yep, my grandmother

Had a nest egg. It in the end, the nursing home took everything. Then, she went on Medicaid. She was unaware of most anything that was happening. She would have been mortified that she was on Medicaid. She was proud of how she and my grandfather had saved. But, it’s all part of the nursing home scam. Deplete and take all.

[IbogaProject]

17. Get medicaid ready

Find an attorney and do an "eldercare workup". The upper middle class and even some wealthy do it. Try and do your best to leave them something.

[StarryNite]

18. If you're in a position, start gifting some to your son now.

[Emile]

2. Thanks for sharing your story.

but Trump says billionaires need ANOTHER TAX CUT.

[Layzeebeaver]

6. It will all trickle down...

…Like arsenic through an I.V.

Welcome to the new world.

[krkaufman]

36. The optics of this bill being pushed ....

… alongside Bezos’ wedding in Venice are stark.

[Katinfl]

4. All too typical a story. May I ask how they went through a million dollars?

Bad investments? Lavish spending? The Medicaid cuts will certainly hurt nursing homes and many will probably have to close. Not to mention the staffing cuts. It is going to be a dire situation for sure.

[LilElf70]

10. I'm guessing here.

Owning 2 properties at the same time with no income other than SS over 8 years should have created a huge dent. There were rumors he made a bad real estate investment in California. Who knows.

[Native]

12. 1 million is basically 33k over 30 years plus investment income

two homes means double the property taxes, insurance and maintenance. that could easily eat that up.

[LilElf70]

22. Bingo

1M now a days don't mean squat. And It don't go far.

[Native]

27. I'm in Florida, and new roofs are $30K or more (typical 4 bed/3 bath), and insurance companies want them replaced every

10-15 years or they won't write you a policy. Used to be that you could have your roof inspected, and that would suffice. Not anymore. We've only been in our house 13 years. It was 5 years old when we bought it. We've replaced the roof, the AC unit, the well, and now we are working on the pool deck. And we'll likely have to do it all again if we stay here when we retire. And the insurance - well, don't get me started. It's freaking nuts. And now that FEMA will be cut, can you imagine what we'll start paying in taxes to make up that shortfall? Even with decent social security benefits, decent savings, and our home mostly paid off, it is still going to be tight. As soon as we pay off one major housing expense, it's another. There's been no respite in 13 years, and I only see things getting worse. I really think a great solution would be to go back to multi-generational homes - separate entrances, etc.. Economies of scale so to speak.

[Arazi]

5. It's very likely there won't even be a nursing home available under this bill

Some forecasters believe 25% of current nursing homes will have to close under this bill.

If you’re rural, many of those hospitals won’t be around either anymore even if you do manage to set up a hospital bed in your living room to care for your loved one.

[pandr32]

28. We're going to be putting elderly people on the streets.

Who knows? Maybe some f those detention centers with moldy food and inadequate facilities the Nazis are investing in and building will process them-- for profit.

[Dan]

50. Well, the cynic is me says....

If the able bodied people of today won't do anything to help the nation and our people (excluding MAGA) then maybe the terminal ill elderly might decide to do something...they have nothing to lose, except maybe a painful death or living in the streets life.

[pandr32]

52. We all need to do something.

Batman isn't coming and apparently the Supreme Court and most of Congress is bought and paid for.

[Lonestarblue]

8. The Medicaid cuts are part of the same plan to force women back to the 1950s.

Republicans hate all programs that send any tax dollars to the poor and middle class, but these cuts also smack of Project 2025 plans to elevate males and relegate women to full-time caregiving. Medicaid spends nearly half its funds on nursing home care. Nursing homes are mostly owned by big corporations with facilities in multiple states. Many of them are private so they are not required to report earnings and profits. When Medicaid stops paying and profits suffer, seniors will be ejected and new seniors will not be accepted. In smaller, rural areas, the nursing homes may be closed.

And who will care for these seniors? Mostly women, taking them out of the workforce because the Heritage Foundation leaders want them forced to stay home to care for babies, the disabled, and seniors. Abortion laws in red states mean more poor women who cannot afford to travel for an abortion need to care for more babies. But also taking care of seniors who may have many medical needs is quite different. When treatment is needed, these people will go to emergency care at hospitals, if there’s even a hospital nearby, at far greater expense or they will get no care and simply die.

The US healthcare system is already the most expensive and least effective among developed nations. Republicans are deliberately making it worse.

[Figarosmom]

54. How?

Households need 2 incomes just to make it. And make it means no vacations, cno going out for dinner, no ordering out etc. If people are going to take on the care of aging parents and grandparents it's back to the 1950s before there was ever a middle class.

The rich hate that there is/ was a middle class. Emotes getting too comfortable and asking for better working conditions. If employees aren't begging for their jobs, they won't be beholdened to the employer.

[erronis]

9. Some may look to end their lives before having to be pushed to complete destitution and homelessness.

Perhaps this is one of their intentions.

[LilElf70]

11. Can you imagine

being 80-90 years old and being told to live on the streets?

[erronis]

20. I think about it all the time. I'm not far away from that situation.

[calimary]

25. Seems strategic. Harder to fight when you're dispirited and the money's not there.

[llmart]

42. I've always said that if I find myself going downhill medically after 80...

I will make plans to leave this earth on my own terms. I have had a very good life and have always had a very practical approach to death. The world can get along without me. No one is exempt from dying.

I wonder if the Hemlock Society is still around? Any of you boomer types remember the book "Final Exit"?

[erronis]

43. Yup - I have read it. Don't have a copy anymore.

I've researched various methods.

My biggest concern is how to clean up after I've gone. Not just the body but the crap we've accumulated after so many years. And how to prepare anyone who cares about you on how to deal with the event.

Not sure if there aren't much better guides out there now for the bigger picture.

[llmart]

55. I've already gotten rid of most extraneous stuff since I live a very minimalist life.

My son will be handling everything and we've had recent conversations about it. All my legal paperwork is in order and he knows that I'm a practical person - don't want any funeral or memorial service (my family is mostly gone now and I've moved a few times to different states and lost touch with old friends, some of whom have died themselves.)

We come into this world with nothing and I intend to leave with very little. Both my grown kids have plenty of money and stuff and great jobs.

[progree]

45. A couple on my list to look at: Compassion and Choices, and the Final Exit Network

compassionandchoices.org
finalexitnetwork.org

I don't know much about either one of them.

[llmart]

56. I hadn't heard about either of them.

Thanks for the info.

[Hope22]

14. My sister was in a nursing facility when Idaho State Legislators decided to cut Medicaid.

Within a day the facility was in turmoil. Without the payments, special aides, deliveries of healthcare supplies, and care payments of Medicaid residents the internal system of the facility all but collapsed. Aides were looking to lose their jobs and the manager of the facility was in shock. It felt like my sister was the only private pay resident there. From that experience I can confidently say the collapse of our assisted living, nursing home system will not last a month if Medicaid is killed. People will be on the street in or home with relatives if this bill succeeds! It was a terrible experience for everyone involved.

[Johnny2X2X]

15. Medicaid pays for my mother's nursing home

She's been in poor health for years and in and out of the hospital. She's going to be 83 later this year.

She had a serious fall and broke her arm and now needs round the clock care. We got really lucky and got her into a fantastic facility, they take her social security check each month less $60 and Medicaid picks up the rest. I cannot tell you how big a difference it has made in her health. She was home before with my father and they didn't know it, but they just couldn't manage her care. So her meds would get out of wack, she would not get clean after using the bathroom so she would get serious infections several times a year. The infections would affect her mental fitness. She was barely eating and staying in bed all day every day.

Now she is so different, she's back to the person I've known my whole life. She is clean, she is up and about daily, she eats 3 meals. She hasn't had an infection and she's back to having a sharp mind. It's night and day. Her many meds are managed by professionals now so she isn't missing doses or taking too much, that alone was a huge burden for them.

Of course, she thinks she still wants to be home with my dad, but this has been a miracle for us, I was thinking she had months to live, and now I could see her being happy and healthy for years should she maintain this level of care.

Without Medicaid, she'd be dead within a few months, of that I am certain. The family actually sees her more often now as we visit all the time. And she still can leave the facilities for birthday or graduation parties. My dad takes her to lunch weekly, and takes her to get her hair done. She'll be at our campfire party in a few weeks. All because we have a basic system that provides the care she needs.

[Farmer-Rick]

16. You can not save enough money to cover you through death

It's just an impossible feat. Yeah, a lucky few can do it but that's less than 20% of Americans. While 80% will run out of money to survive if they rely on savings only. You can never predict how much savings for medical care you will need.

It's because you can't predict the cost of medical care in the future. It's inflating steadily and continually. Medical costs never decline. The industry just finds cheaper ways to deliver the same service. My mother paid $30,000 a month to a half decent nursing home until she ran out of money and had to go on Medicaid.

As the rich horde their wealth, medical costs will keep inflating and you will never be able to predict how much you will need to see you through to your death. So just expect a long suffering old age in America. 80% of Americans will be constantly poor and impoverished in their old age.

When my spouse was seriously ill, near death, we were on Medicare, Not Medicaid. We still owed 20% of the medical bills under Medicare. 20% of $200,000 is $40,000. You try coming up with $40,000 suddenly in one year, year after year until you die.

[LilElf70]

19. This is exactly why

I noted 90% will be broke in my original post. Just look at the prices of everything now? Especially Healthcare.

Meanwhile the wealthier keep get wealthier. What the hell are they going to do with all that money? Do they think they are not going to die?

Another issue here is Citizens United. If we do not stop this absurdity of allowing unlimited money in politics, then "We the people" will continue to be bought by the highest bidder with the biggest mouth. Ya know, like a game show.

[Farmer-Rick]

24. And here's the kicker

As the filthy-rich accumulate more and more of our National wealth, the value of the money drops. The richer they are the less value their wealth has. That's inflation. You guarantee inflation if you allow massive accumulation.

You know if one of the filthy-rich were to accumulate all the money, that money would be worthless.

[VTderry]

51. The real addiction crisis in this country is not around drugs or alcohol.

It's money.

And the way the 1% seek their fixes is no different than people who can't stop drinking or using meth.

They know the things they pay their politicians to do will eventually destroy the very system that makes them rich. But they cannot stop.

Imagine being able to throw yourself a revoltingly extravagant multi-day wedding, that costs you the equivalent of $38 in regular person money, and it STILL doesn't occur to you "Hey, maybe I don't need a tax cut after all."

[LilElf70]

21. I certainly see

suicide rates going up. Or maybe that's what the GOP wants. This move most certainly will affect the MAGA idiots too. Do they not see this?

The GOP have certainly not thought this through at all.

Again, God help us all. I foresee a very very rough road ahead for this country. 3rd world country comes to mind. This shit has to stop.

[The Madcap]

29. Me too...

I only hope a few of them are public just to get this in front of people's attention. Sad to say, but that's what it's going to take.

[Tadpole Raisin]

34. They don't care. Their families will be protected but their constituents can pound sand. nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

35. Let Grandma Die For The Dow

The GOP certainly has thought this through.

These are non-working people consuming taxpayer funded healthcare and a more effective use for those funds would be to funnel them to the 'titans of industry' to 'trickle down' to the greater economy.

Just a coincidence that these beneficiaries of GOP largesse fund the election campaigns and lifestyles of the decision makers.

Paul Ryan aggressively fought for this in 2016. In 2020, they didn't even hide profit > healthcare during COVID - they embraced it.

Besides, the Senate is land based - lowering the 'useless eater' population to use those tax dollars elsewhere doesn't really have an impact on their paychecks.

The GOP has been "thinking this through" since Arthur Laffer created the thoroughly discredited Supply Side trickle down fantasy in the 1980s and they have not stopped trying to make that Republican utopia actually happen.

[Arazi]

37. The MAGAts in my life would still be all in on this

As long as there are “liberal tears” and even one lib to “own”, they’ll never stop backing these motherfuckers.

They love the cruelty and suffering. They’re getting boners of delight watching it like addicted pornos.

[Skittles]

39. we'll see what they think when THEY have to take care of elderly parents

FAFO

or....maybe they just wouldn't (seeing how much they delight in cruelty)

[Be The Light]

23. Well at least the millionares and billionares

Will get a big fucking tax break by impoverishing millions of people!

Capitalism, ain't it great!

[Joinfortmill]

26. It's a horror show out there...

Regarding the Medicare/Medicaid fiasco, barring the Democrats winning both houses in the midterms, the only hope may be the Nursing Home lobby. If people aren't on Medicare/Medicaid, then there is no money for them.

Also, hospitals, medical centers, and corporate doctors groups receive a high percentage of payments from these two programs, so you may see lobbying from them.

Other than that, I think it's gonna be up to us to get out and vote in such huge numbers, they can't 'fix' the vote counts.

[Ruby the Liberal]

30. Before the 25% anticipated closures, its going to be unbelievably rough

Packing people in rooms like sardines with skeleton staffs before the inevitable closures. Its a given that the Biden era staffing minimums will either be rescinded or ignored (can't hurt the poor innocent shareholders!)

Its only been 5 MONTHS. The fallout from all of this is going to be breathtaking.

[Tadpole Raisin]

31. When my mother was in a nursing home they gave her, a diabetic,

the sweetest kids yogurt for her daily snack.

She had heart problems and the nurses were giving her breathing ‘treatments’ when the real problem was that she had ballooned 60lbs+ due to fluid overload.

After we insisted she be transferred to the hospital they diuresed her and upon returning the nurses were so surprised at how well she was doing but had no clue that the weight gain might have been a hint. I’d mention more horror stories but you get the idea.

Worse yet we found out from a relatively young social worker that the doctor in charge of her care 1. had standing orders that none of his patients were to be sent to the hospital (so when we insisted the nurses were off the hook) and
2. He believed people come to a nursing home to die so why delay that process.

I’ll be damned if that happens to me!!

[DENVERPOPS]

33. With Debt service

the amount is up to 5 TRILLION Dollars...........And it is a double whammy....without all the Republican cuts, the figure would be much higher....

Reverse Robin Hooding........

If his Beautiful Bill Passes...............It will certainly trigger a Major Depression, and Katie Bar The Door........the economy will crash....

[LilElf70]

38. Buckle up!!!

It's showtime. Spoiler alert!!! First review indicates that the show stinks.

[Buddyzbuddy]

40. It seems to me Republicans in the South and Midwest hate their parents and grandparents.

Seriously, "no joke". As evidenced by their revolt against covid vaccinations, masks and advisories. Certain death of the elderly was the result. What other conclusion could be drawn?

Sure, I'm aware that most if not all here on DU, from those areas are an exception to the statement. But I stand by my statement.

[RhapsodyFav]

41. Kill the elderly...Kill the sick, that's the goal.

They're not "contributing" to society anymore so make sure they die as soon as possible.

[Gimpyknee]

44. Start planning on a Nicholas Cage Leaving Las Vegas way out.

[PatrickforB]

46. Hey, I've got an idea. How about the Democrats in the Senate get about 50,000 of these stories, and

read them into the record as a filibuster. That would be good.

AND, someone ought to add a tiny little amendment changing the rules of corporate governance away from shareholder primacy (shareholder PROFITS more important that workers, consumers, environment - human life itself), to a stakeholder approach that holds the interests of workers, consumers (including TRUTH in news reporting) and the environment EQUAL in weight to shareholder profits. That would solve lots of problems really fast.

[Sessuch]

47. Why do Republicans hate people?

They only love consumers, capitalism and money.

[MaineBlueBear]

48. Thanks for sharing your story

You're not alone.

[LilElf70]

49. Thank you

It's such a sad state of affairs. Why we allowed Trump in there, knowing that this would happen, is maddening to many. And many will pay the price of his presidency. On both sides of the aisle. Yet, the GOP, knowing this is all bad stuff, is willing to go along with it. It's like a bad bad dream.

I can offer this advice. When you are down and out about all this shit, and need someplace to relax, I highly recommend a newfound way to accomplish this. I am registered to Sirius XM radio. I have found the Paul Hardcastle channel to be quite relaxing. It helps me. Good upbeat jazz..... And I'm not a jazz listener. Crank it up on a blue tooth speaker connected to your phone.