Twin Cities PBS: Pennies On The Dollar: The Beginning of the End for Estate Recovery? (March 30, 2022)
A new bill introduced to the U.S. Congress could end estate recovery programs across the nation. The Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act of 2022 would limit liens from estate recovery, a federal program that requires states to claw back Medicaid expenses by going after the property and homes of dead recipients. The bill would also make estate recovery optional, giving states the chance to end their recovery programs. Advocates say that this may be an unprecedented step towards ending estate recovery across the nation, and it’s gathering support.
“This is the only public benefits program that collects from the estates of deceased beneficiaries,” Carlson said. “If people are broke, essentially, and eligible for Medicaid, it’s appropriate that the state provide for health care so those folks have the long-term care that they need.”
Efforts by Justice in Aging and other organizations have lifted California as a model state for recovery reform. If Minnesota wants to address estate recovery, Rayburn says that people should follow the Golden State.