Q&A with Catheryn Koss about Oklahoma Senate Bill 1273

Q: How would Senate Bill 1273 affect people in nursing homes?

A: In Oklahoma, a person whose personal monthly income is less than $3,000 (and meets other requirements) may qualify for Medicaid to help pay for nursing home care. SB 1273 would raise the income limit above $3,000 to allow more people to receive assistance with paying for long-term care expenses.

Q: Who would this bill help?

A: There are some individuals whose income is more than $3,000 but not enough to pay for nursing home expenses. For example, if a husband is in a nursing home and has a monthly income of $3,200 and his spouse lives at home and has a monthly income of $900, the husband cannot qualify for Medicaid assistance even though the couple do not have enough money to cover his nursing home expenses and her living expenses.

Q: The bill refers to “Medicaid Income Pension Trust.” What is that?