Stop Denying Disabled Individuals Essential Care Over Small Income Differences

Many individuals who worked hard, paid into the system, and later became disabled are being denied essential services because their income is just slightly above the Medicaid eligibility limit. As a result, they are left without access to transportation, in-home caregiver assistance, medical equipment, and other critical resources that allow them to live safely and with dignity.

In some cases, people are denied these services over an income difference of only a few dollars each month—even though the cost of the care they need far exceeds that amount. This creates a benefits cliff where individuals receive no assistance at all instead of support that reflects their actual financial situation.

I am asking lawmakers to establish a sliding scale for Medicaid long-term care benefits or create hardship exceptions for individuals whose income exceeds the limit by only a small amount. No one should be forced to go without essential care because they are a few dollars over an arbitrary cutoff. Our policies should reflect equity, recognizing each person’s unique circumstances, rather than relying on an all-or-nothing system.