According to the State Department of Human Resources, nearly 2000 people in Georgia will be terminated from the State's Medically Needy Spend-down Program-- a program that pays a significant portion for nursing home care for many nursing home residents in Georgia.

DHR says the nearly 2000 nursing home residents will be terminated from Medically Needy Medicaid on July 1, 2004, when the program ends. The Governor's Office has the discretion to reverse its decision to axe the program, a decision made to trim $9.7 million from the state budget. The elderly and people with serious illnesses that require around-the-clock care may be able to preserve Medicaid eligibility by establishing an income trust.

Many nursing home residents need legal representation to preserve their Medicaid eligibility to avoid being discharged from the nursing home for non-payment. Details are being developed for a coordinated volunteer lawyer effort to assist these ill nursing home patients. If you are interested in learning more about this breaking story, please e-mail mike@gabar.org with your contact information.