Political Potpourri: Spousal Refusal To Remain Intact
By Paula Katinas
People caring for a spouse suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other devastating illnesses will not be abandoned by New York State, according to Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who said a provision in state law called spousal refusal has been preserved in the state budget that was approved last week in Albany.
Under spousal refusal, husbands or wives caring for their stricken spouse are permitted to separate their assets under law so that they don’t go bankrupt paying for the cost of long-term medical care. The spousal refusal provision allows families to qualify for Medicaid when they might not otherwise be able to get that assistance.