The United States government is celebrating the 50th anniversaries of Medicaid and Medicare this summer, both programs officially having sprung to life on July 30, 1965. Websites like CMS.gov and AIDS.com are honoring the occasion with a “Keeping Americans Healthy for 50 Years” celebration. Both sites highlight the many changes, improvements, and advances in the two systems since President Lyndon B. Johnson first signed them into law.
Patients’ rights advocates and elder law attorneys are applauding the anniversary too, but perhaps with less unfettered commendation.
Medicaid and Medicare remain invaluable sources of help for countless people in Arizona and beyond. That’s especially true in the context of long-term care. Medicaid is currently the leading provider of financial assistance for nursing home residents and long-term care patients in Arizona and throughout the United States.
Unfortunately, for most people, consistently and effectively accessing those benefits remains a real challenge. As Phoenix elder law attorneys, we constantly encounter deserving Arizonans who’ve been wrongfully denied by the Medicaid system, or who have otherwise been misinformed about their eligibility.
Please never draw conclusions about your rights under the law without consulting an experienced lawyer first. we understand the complex and confusing rules and regulations surrounding Medicaid. We can help you plan for the future and access the care you need (even in a pinch).
Let’s celebrate these programs’ golden anniversaries by ensuring that they are as effective for people as possible. Contact our office to find out how we can help.
