I hope not to offend anyone out there, but I would appreciate some feedback on taking care of young to middle-aged adults who are on medicaid. It seems that so many (I realize not all) are some of the most difficult patients to care for; they often are rude, demanding, and unappreciative of nursing care. I have cared for many who demand tests/procedures/an extra day or two in the hospital/supplies that they don't really need; doctors often admit to just giving them what they want, rather than arguing. I have had medicaid patients say to me after I suggest to them, they can probably purchase an item for cheaper at the store, "Oh I don't care, I'm on Medicaid". Recently, a woman openly admitted that she had another child because she wanted more Medicaid money. When a woman has six kids by different men, and lives off Medicaid, I asked myself, "how does this happen"; aren't there people out there monitoring this system". About a year or so ago, I was taking care of a woman - and because the census was extremely low, patient-nurse ratio was 2:1 (unusual but nice). Anyway, I took so much extra time visiting with, caring for and going way beyond what I really needed to do to ensure quality nursing care, and at lunch, her Diet Pepsi wasn't on her tray. She gets on the phone and proceeds to rant and rave about this to a friend. I could hear her end of the conversation. Yes, she was a Medicaid patient.
Wow, I was blown away and got quite upset. I can't believe these are isolated incidences. Many nurses I work with are able to identify Medicaid patients just by their behavior.
As I said earlier, I don't mean to offend, but I am interested to learn if others out there in the nursing world encounter the same type of thing. I realize it is not right to label or generalize people, and I don't let it affect how I care for people; I certainly don't like the way I feel when confronted with this behavior. Any responses are welcome.
i have told my children tht i don't want any heroic measures but if i have to be admitted to a nursing home i would want my children to have my ptiiful little possessions
there should be a level such as: if you have assets more than $100,000=/- than anything over that you forfeit but to have to convert your home, small saving, jewelry that may have been handed down from grandparents that is not right
Now this is where you and I disagree. If you have a means of paying your bill, then why shouldn't you have to sell your posessions? That sounds like the entitlement mentality that so many here are scorning the poor for. If you need a service, then you take stock of what you have in order to pay for it and then you liquidate some things to make it happen. You have the means to pay, a la savings and property but you think that you shouldn't have to use it and instead the taxpayers should support you in your old age. That's not right. And if your children don't want to lose out on their inheritance, then they could provide your care themselves.
Of course the very best measure you can take to protect your assets AND receive the care you need in old age is to take out long-term care insurance.
I hope this isn't derailing the thread ... this is a discussion that really needs to happen. I just wish I could see the same level of outrage about those who are abusing the system to the tune of billions, not millions, of our tax dollars. Dishonest vendors, providers, contractors, politicians are stealing far more than free taxi vouchers and inappropriate ER visits.
Thanks much for this. It's amazing how people don't have a problem with corporations, the wealthy and the middle-class leeching off taxpayers; only poor people. In other words, we resent helping out the people who need it the most. That's not right.
Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
First paragraph: yes, they are doing it illegally. Illegals tend to do that, because they cannot do it legally. And they will keep on doing it because we cannot turn them in for doing so.......there is a fear that illegals will then not seek medical care when it's really necessary for fear of being deported.
Second paragraph: yes, I know many people think the opposite of what I said, they tend to lump all SSDI recipients in the same mold. I don't. I was trying to support you in spite of our differences of opinions. I don't know what I've said to irk you so bad in the past, but it seems that once again all I managed to do was irritate you. I think it's best if I just stay out of your posts from now on.
Sorry but I believe we are comparing apples to oranges. People who complain that illegals get welfare benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps, Section 8 housing, welfare income, are either living in the very distent past or
1. Don't know what they are talking about.
2. If they are aware of some illegal getting these benefits, they are failing to do their duty as citizens by not turning them in.
3. Illegals receiving benefits based on false documents, that is their state's failure to veryify these documents.
Second, I was commenting only on those fools that have issues with people who collect SSDI and they feel they shouldn't. I am aware of one such fool, who has always maintained that I am stealing her money because
1. I have a computor.
2. I am online.
3. I drive long distances sometimes, without her knowing exactly how long it takes but I can work because I can drive.
4. I went to graduate classes, there for I am able to work.
Neither she nors others know what the SSA defines as disabled. And people should really educate themselves.
And if you took either that post or this one as an attack on you, it was not.
Just want to point out that our soldiers definately EARN their money, especially these days. We should be grateful and extra gracious to THEM!!!!
Have you ever met a veteran on medicaid? I've met many. Many many. Once they've been back a few years, PTSD untreated, injuries leaving them permanently handicapped, their livers cirrhosed due to the endless pursuit to drown themselves to the horrifying memories of war since the govt. has not adequately provided treatment for them and they are unable to ever work again...
Ah yes, and here we hit the mighty disturbing cyclic reality of our imperfect nation--
and right now as we speak our country is churning out thousands of future medicaid patients with profound physical and mental disabilities--and when we finally meet them, many will have addictive/behavioral disorders. They may be demanding. They may be non-compliant. They might not trust you, since you are a worker in the system that destroyed their lives.
Now this is where you and I disagree. If you have a means of paying your bill, then why shouldn't you have to sell your posessions? That sounds like the entitlement mentality that so many here are scorning the poor for. If you need a service, then you take stock of what you have in order to pay for it and then you liquidate some things to make it happen. You have the means to pay, a la savings and property but you think that you shouldn't have to use it and instead the taxpayers should support you in your old age. That's not right. And if your children don't want to lose out on their inheritance, then they could provide your care themselves.
Of course the very best measure you can take to protect your assets AND receive the care you need in old age is to take out long-term care insurance.
Yes, people who can pay should pay. But why is it that a government forces the very one's who paid their whole lives into a system they cannot benefit from to become paupers so they can be taken care of?
You know, the nursing home is the great equalizer. You have people who never worked a day in their lives receiving the exact same care and being of the same status as the middle class person who paid into the system their whole lives and worked to have something to leave their families as their legacy (ancestral homes). Only all the work these people did was in vain because poof it is gone with the wind.
Why work at all? Why not just lounge around and collect welfare and public assistance? We're all going to end up in the same boat anyway...
Think I'll go sit on the porch and forget about work.
Who needs work? Let's all go ahead and make sure we will always qualify for Medicaid.
Yes, people who can pay should pay. But why is it that a government forces the very one's who paid their whole lives into a system they cannot benefit from to become paupers so they can be taken care of?
You know, the nursing home is the great equalizer. You have people who never worked a day in their lives receiving the exact same care and being of the same status as the middle class person who paid into the system their whole lives and worked to have something to leave their families as their legacy (ancestral homes). Only all the work these people did was in vain because poof it is gone with the wind.
Why work at all? Why not just lounge around and collect welfare and public assistance? We're all going to end up in the same boat anyway...
Think I'll go sit on the porch and forget about work.
Who needs work? Let's all go ahead and make sure we will always qualify for Medicaid.
See you at the food stamp office.
Why is it my responsibility to work and pay into a system so someone else can inherit wealth they never earned? How is that different from using the system to pay your way so you won't have to get up and go to work?
This thread like so many has become polarized with the us and them mentality. So I put forth the questions that bug me every time I hear a comment about the poor, social services, and supporting our fellow Americans.
If we are not responsible for the health of America, who should be?
If those soldiers who suffer from PTSD and subsequent mental illness are cared for, what about those who suffer from these same disorders due to parental neglect, overwhelming circumstances, organic brain disease, or just because...shouldn't they be cared for?
For those of you who think it's okay for me or anyone else to fall back on a system I paid into...what about those born into it? Born to possibly uneducated parents? How do we not perpetuate a potential problem without taking all of those children away? Would you advocate for sterilization of the poor?
Everyone deserves to be healthy and to have a hand extended to them.
Why can't we as a nation be more supportive of our elderly? Why is it necessary for assisted living to be 5k-8k per month? Why don't we have senior housing that is a right instead of a waiting list? Better yet, why is prevention of medical problems not covered? Better to send a nurse to practice diabetes prevention, then be forced years later to do wound care, amputation care or God knows what else?
There are so many more things that could be said....
I feel truly sad when I read these threads and wonder where the naysayers live, their current/past circumstances, and how they were raised. I can't imagine anyone begrudging those who need help, and want to ask them to thank "God" for the brains they were endowed with to become nursing professionals. Not everyone is so fortunate. We may all make our lives, but someone gives us that guidance or resolve. Maybe, extending a hand to those in need will be the lift they need to move on, and up.
Maisy:o
PS Now I know why nurses can't get together for the common good. Too many don't believe in it.
Why is it my responsibility to work and pay into a system so someone else can inherit wealth they never earned? How is that different from using the system to pay your way so you won't have to get up and go to work?
Why is it my responsibility to work and pay into a system so someone else can inherit wealth they never earned? How is that different from using the system to pay your way so you won't have to get up and go to work?
Why should it be anyone's responsibility?
Here I am. I have worked hard, payed taxes, etc.. I own real estate.
If I go to a nursing home (actually, I will fight to the to keep from ever going to a nursing home and that's the honest truth) but say I go to a nursing home and the only way I can qualify for the Medicaid to keep me there is taking a vow of poverty after I worked so hard all of my life to keep from becoming a pauper. Then, say I never worked, lived off the government dole, took it easy, then went to the nursing home--heck, I will already have Medicaid.
What was the point in all that time spent working and paying taxes?
Some people do use private insurance to pay for nursing homes. I believe some people begin planning for their old age while they are young, so that a decision doesn't have to be made at a crucial point and to avoid just those kinds of heart-rending situations. Perhaps - or probably - most people don't take the necessary steps to do this, but it can be done. I don't think it has to be a choice between medicaid through chosen poverty or medicaid through actual poverty.
Here I am. I have worked hard, payed taxes, etc.. I own real estate.
If I go to a nursing home (actually, I will fight to the to keep from ever going to a nursing home and that's the honest truth) but say I go to a nursing home and the only way I can qualify for the Medicaid to keep me there is taking a vow of poverty after I worked so hard all of my life to keep from becoming a pauper. Then, say I never worked, lived off the government dole, took it easy, then went to the nursing home--heck, I will already have Medicaid.
What was the point in all that time spent working and paying taxes?
See you there.
For the joy and knowledge that comes from self satisfaction.
Here I am. I have worked hard, payed taxes, etc.. I own real estate.
If I go to a nursing home (actually, I will fight to the to keep from ever going to a nursing home and that's the honest truth) but say I go to a nursing home and the only way I can qualify for the Medicaid to keep me there is taking a vow of poverty after I worked so hard all of my life to keep from becoming a pauper. Then, say I never worked, lived off the government dole, took it easy, then went to the nursing home--heck, I will already have Medicaid.
What was the point in all that time spent working and paying taxes?
See you there.
Oh, maybe because it is the right thing to do??????
No one promises that the right thing is easy or convenient.
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SharonH, RN
2,144 Posts
Now this is where you and I disagree. If you have a means of paying your bill, then why shouldn't you have to sell your posessions? That sounds like the entitlement mentality that so many here are scorning the poor for. If you need a service, then you take stock of what you have in order to pay for it and then you liquidate some things to make it happen. You have the means to pay, a la savings and property but you think that you shouldn't have to use it and instead the taxpayers should support you in your old age. That's not right. And if your children don't want to lose out on their inheritance, then they could provide your care themselves.
Of course the very best measure you can take to protect your assets AND receive the care you need in old age is to take out long-term care insurance.