The sequester cut deadline came and went late last week without action in DC. This will not come as a surprise to observers of the situation, but that doesn’t mean the unrolling of the cuts did not cause severe worry and concern for those affected. One group that is raising…
It is a well discussed fact that American demographics are shifting such that the percentage of the population over 65 years old (and over 80 years old) is growing steadily. Those most familiar with the data suggest that this trend will continue for the next several decades. It is hard…
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program. As such, payments are made by both the federal government and state government. However, that simple dichotomy can be deceiving, because it lumps the actual state government with the local governmental entities (like counties). Each state can operate differently, but in New York, the…
All those who have an interest in the New York Medicaid system will be watching closely in coming months as more aspects of the landmark Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) are unrolled. While it has been several years since the law was passed–and recently upheld from legal challenge by the U.S.…
Concerns about public budgets seems to be a perennial problem. There is never a time when worries about how much public coffers are taking in and spending are not making headlines and spurring debate. Of course now is no exception, as policymakers at the local, state, and federal level are…
One critical piece of federal legislation affecting senior citizens across the country is the Older Americans Act. Perhaps the most significant budgetary portion of the Act is spending for Meals on Wheels programs. The idea behind the program is simple: seniors living in their own home receive daily visits from…
Speculation was rampant over the past year regarding exactly how full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (Obamacare) would actually affect the current healthcare programs, like Medicare and Medicaid. Now, with President Obama’s re-election in place and the long-term security of the ACA secure, we are beginning to see…
One question many New York seniors (and their loved ones) considered during the presidential campaign was how each candidate’s election might affect programs like Medicare and Medicaid. While it is hard to say with certainty what changes, if any, will be made to these areas, much of the discussion between…
As everyone knows by now, U.S. President Barack Obama was re-elected to a second term on Tuesday. In addition, the U.S. House of Representatives will remain in the control of the Republican Party with a similar make-up of the last four years. Also, the Democrats will keep control of the…
Elder law attorneys and senior care advocates frequently remind community members of the value of long-term care insurance (LTCI). The New York legal professionals at our firm advise those who we are assisting with elder law estate planning of the immense value of having this insurance in place so that…