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May revision would reinstate Medi‑Cal asset limits and scale back long‑term supports; seniors and caregivers raise alarm
Summary
DHCS proposes reinstating an asset test (single $2,000 / couple $3,000), eliminating some long‑term care supports and suspending skilled‑nursing incentives; advocates and providers warned the move would push seniors and people with disabilities into worse outcomes and greater cost elsewhere.
The California Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health received testimony May 20 on the administration’s proposal to reinstate Medi‑Cal asset limits for eligibility, roll back some long‑term services and suspend workforce and quality incentive payments to skilled nursing facilities.
Lede and context
DHCS told the committee it proposes returning to the asset limits that were in place prior to recent eliminations: $2,000 for a single household and $3,000 for a couple. The administration estimated roughly $94 million in general‑fund savings in the budget year from reinstating the test. Committee members and advocates warned the change would force households to spend down assets, risk loss of In‑Home Supportive Services (IHSS) benefits, and increase homelessness and institutionalization risk.
Why it matters
The asset limit change targets senior and disability eligibility for Medi‑Cal and IHSS. Lawmakers and dozens of advocates said the policy would reduce access to home‑ and community‑based services…
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