I just finished reading an article in the Dec. 31 News Tribune about the lifting of a measure that forced estates to pay for Medicaid coverage after death. The article explained that prior to the Affordable Care Act, very few Minnesota residents qualified for Medicaid because of a "means testing" that included the property they owned. I feel that was too restrictive for folks who needed health insurance coverage.
However, it is no excuse for excluding "means testing" on other assets. I feel there are numerous people on Medicaid who have far more financial resources than the property they own that should be "means tested." That doesn't mean they should not have state health coverage, but it does mean they should pay some premium based on their resources. That would be a much more fair program.
It is not moral or ethical for Minnesota residents to have free health insurance from the state when they do the financial resources to pay.
Terri A. Aiken
Superior
