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By Tia Mitchell Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau TALLAHASSEE — Senate Democrats and Republican voiced support on Thursday for a proposal to subsidize private insurance policies for low-income families as an alternative to expanding Medicaid. The new program, called Healthy Florida, would be largely paid for with the $55 billion the federal government offered the state to expand Medicaid.

Article provided by Elder Law Answers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care benefits to veterans. The plan covers a number of health care services, including preventative services, diagnostic and treatment services, and hospitalization. The VA also offers a number of long-term care options through its health plan.

Provided by Elder Law Answers As a consequence of congressional gridlock, $85 billion in automatic, across-the-board spending cuts are starting to take effect. We’ve heard the dire warnings about the impact: air travel delays, 70,000 children forced out of Head Start, cutbacks in food inspections, understaffed fire departments, 700,000 fewer jobs created . . .  the list goes on.

Join us for one of ouir FREE seminars to learn about legal issues facing seniors. Attorney Heather C. Kirson and Florida Bar Board Certified Attorney Patricia T. Fuller from The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller will discuss Estate Planning, Medicare, Medicaid along with VA benefits that can help […]

Provided by Elder Law Answers: One of the greatest fears of older Americans is that they may end up in a nursing home. This not only means a great loss of personal autonomy, but also a tremendous financial price. Depending on location and level of care, nursing homes cost between $40,000 and $180,000 a year. Most people end up paying for nursing home care out of their savings until they run out.

Will or Trust, Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney. Even after a loved one has moved into a nursing home, legal strategies can be used to protect assets. Generally this will require having a suitable durable power of attorney.

An additional 900,000 Floridians would be eligible for Medicaid coverage if the state were to lower requirements as called for by ACA. The Agency for Health Care Administration estimates the cost at $3 billion over 10 years. A study by the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University reached a different conclusion, a net savings of $100 million per year.

The Special Needs Trust (also known as a Supplemental Needs Trust) or “SNT” is a special kind of trust that allows assets to be held for the benefit of a disabled or special needs child or adult, without making the beneficiary ineligible for government benefits. Why you need an SNT if you die intestate If you died without a Will, your assets would pass automatically under the State’s inheritance laws to your spouse and your children, including your special needs child.

Each year Best Buddies holds a Staff Leadership Conference in Miami at the end of January that is attended by all staff from around the country. This year, for the first time, Best Buddies created a panel discussion featuring three sponsors/community partners from around the country to share their partenership/sponsorship experiences and provide feedback for all of the staff.  

Smakuakane by Scott A. Makuakane, Esq., CFP Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC Honolulu, Hawaii  96813 State Coordinator of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Hawaii chapter A trust is the legal relationship that is created when a person transfers “stuff” to a trustee with the understanding that the trustee will manage it for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries.