OPINION — My son, Jonathan, needed a new bed, so I bought him a Sleep Number. His room needed a chair, so I bought a La-Z-Boy.
I didn’t make these purchases because Jonathan needed the finest furniture. I made them because Medicaid’s rules gave me no choice: Spend down his savings on anything, no matter how extravagant, or risk losing the coverage he depends on to survive.
Jonathan is autistic, bipolar and has a seizure disorder. He is nonverbal and requires help eating, dressing and bathing. He doesn’t understand danger. Without constant supervision, he could place his hand on a hot stove or walk into traffic.
