Protecting Married Seniors from Impoverishment Act of 2021

Protecting Married Seniors from Impoverishment Act of 2021

This bill makes permanent certain provisions regarding Medicaid eligibility that protect against spousal impoverishment for recipients of home and community-based services. Under current law, these provisions expire on September 30, 2023.

Bill 117 HR 1717, also known as the Protecting Married Seniors from Impoverishment Act of 2021, aims to address financial concerns faced by married seniors who require long-term care. The bill specifically targets the Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to low-income individuals, including seniors.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance for the spouse of a Medicaid beneficiary receiving long-term care services. This allowance is intended to prevent the non-beneficiary spouse from becoming impoverished due to the high cost of long-term care.

Additionally, the bill seeks to update the spousal impoverishment provisions in Medicaid to ensure that the non-beneficiary spouse is able to retain a sufficient amount of income and resources to meet their basic needs. This includes protecting the couple's home and other assets from being counted towards Medicaid eligibility. Overall, the Protecting Married Seniors from Impoverishment Act of 2021 aims to provide financial protections for married seniors who rely on Medicaid for long-term care services. By establishing minimum allowances and updating spousal impoverishment provisions, the bill seeks to prevent financial hardship for couples facing the high costs of long-term care.