It doesn’t just take “everything you own” either. It can end up ripping families apart. They can go back years and take monetary gifts your parents gave you that you may have already spent. I had to give back money mom set away for her grands sons college fund.

Not only that, but the amount Medicaid lets the elder parent keep after garnishing the monthly social security check is about $25-$30. Whose parent can pay even the cellphone bill — lifeline to family and friends — with that amount?

This is what decades of the right and center being terrified of the idea that someone may get benefits they don't 'deserve' will get you. A system designed to be so punitive that it immiserates those it deigns to help beyond all recovery, making it a serious question if dying is preferrable to it.

What state does that?

What?? That’s a new one to me

Sounds like the UK. You can end up paying tax on any gifts beyond a £3000 annual limit, and when you die any transfer of money or assets in the preceding 7 years can be retrospectively taxed as if it were inheritance (which is taxed at 40%).

Yeah, my parents set up a trust years before they needed full time care, having seen this happen to several friends and family members. I understand why it’s set up the way it is, but it sets up so much cruelty.

It was that or my sister would have had to take out a loan to pay back a monetary gift that she had used to move from PA to Cali after a divorce.