California Health Advocates joins Justice in Aging, the Western Center on Law & Poverty and 100 other organizations in asking our state legislatures to eliminate Medi-Cal’s asset test. The current asset limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple has not increased since 1989. These low limits prevent seniors and many people with disabilities from saving enough money to weather a crisis, such as an eviction, a leaking roof or a major vehicle repair. This rule also disproportionately harms people of color because they are more likely to have cash savings, instead of an exempt home, further exacerbating the racial wealth gap.
Other Medi-Cal beneficiaries, such as those under age 65, have no assets limit at all as a result of changes made with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. It’s time to make the same policy changes for those on Medi-Cal due to age and/or disability. Eliminating Medi-Cal’s asset test for older Californians and persons with disabilities will help increase financial and housing stability while ensuring people can keep their health care. Additionally, eliminating the asset limit will simplify the administration of the Medi-Cal program by reducing application and renewal barriers that force people to document their financial accounts and property every year.
Read the full letter here.
