For over a decade, Minnesota has administered a great program that enables people with disabilities to keep their Medical Assistance coverage while earning an income and accumulating savings. Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) has served as a ladder up from poverty for many (myself included) who are capable of working but can’t go without MA. But as the Strib‘s Jon Tevlin notes, people on MA-EPD are forced back into poverty when they turn 65. Tevlin profiles a local man who may be forced to give up his own home because state law imposes strict income and asset requirements for people over age 65 who need MA. Individuals who have worked for years, saving and possibly even earning a pension, must forego the rewards of their labor and become destitute to keep their MA.
Disability advocates have long pointed out this policy shortcoming to lawmakers and have proposed changes to the law that would allow people who were formerly enrolled in MA-EPD to keep a portion of their savings and earnings when they retired. Years of budget deficits gave legislators an excuse to ignore these proposals, but an improving fiscal outlook and media attention like the Strib piece may finally prompt them to fix this oversight.
Very succinct description of the ominous portents, Mark. Thanks!
Do you recommend any talking points (aside from those above) for those of us interested in contacting our legislators?