While I see your point, it's still sad when you consider that these folks probably played by the rules their whole lives and yet are still in a position to lose their home. While many in this country use medical services for free and no one goes after their heirs or family members.
That's the part that's wrong. If there are any assets available the free loaders should pay too.
I am also going to presume that the elderly persons who recieved the care had been tax payers for most of their lives. It is my understanding that insurance for long term care is of course available but may be too costly for a person on a restricted income. In many cases the only way for an elderly person on a fixed income to receive long term care is through medicaid.
I understand the State's wanting to recoup expenses. However I think more is probably lost through fraud then through legitimate care given to those who have paid taxes and are faced with no alternative but to go on Medicaid.
Go after the illegals, the deadbeats, the doctor's who write fraudalent reports and others who are bilking the system. They are the real criminals.
Don't think about it as losing their homes, think about it as paying for their care. It is very arduous, but the children usually can take care of the parent. They just don't want the sacrifice, all too often. It's too easy to let Big Daddy Gov't do it (that would be out of OUR pockets)
They do not lose "their" home. They are gone. The kids don't get the cash from the sale of the house, but they didn't have to take care of the parents either. I see your point about others not paying anything for their care - and it's going to get even worse.
I absolutely agree. I do Medicaid and Medicare billing, and we get a lot of money from both programs. But we also have employees whose kids and families are on Medicaid, and every time one of them gets sick, they go to the ER on Medicaid. Doesn't cost them a dime. And I'm working my butt off to pay costs over and above my insurance for my second bout with lung cancer. The problem really started when we let the government take our money and use it as it sees fit. We opened the door and let the crooks in, and we're paying for it now. Oops, sorry, I guess you pushed on of my buttons! :^)
Carolyn
They may have 'played by the rules' but they sure didn't live by them. For gosh sakes, these rules for long term care aren't secret....they just didn't think ahead far enough. And, I"m sorry if that sounds harsh, but where does it say that someone's lack of preparation becomes OUR problem?
Some people give their money/estate to their children before they die so that the state can't touch it. That is not fair to all the working folks who play honest.