Michael O. Leavitt, the secretary of health and human services, called Tuesday for sweeping changes in Medicaid that would cut payments for prescription drugs and give states new power to reduce or reconfigure benefits for millions of low-income people.
In his first speech as secretary, Mr. Leavitt also said it should be more difficult for elderly people to qualify for Medicaid by transferring assets to their children.
"Medicaid must not become an inheritance protection plan," Mr. Leavitt said at a convention of health care executives here. "Right now, many older Americans take advantage of Medicaid loopholes to become eligible for Medicaid by giving away assets to their children. There is a whole industry that actually helps people shift costs to the taxpayer."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/national/02health.html?ex=1108011600&en=9c741f8896c13615&ei=5070
My take on this development: It's a wonderful sales opportunity. Reprint the article, wave it in front of prospective clients and tell them "They are doing everything in their power to make it as difficult as possible for you to qualify for Medicaid. You need an attorney and you need to do it now."
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