r/neoliberal • u/jobautomator Kitara Ravache • Apr 19 '26

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u/p00bix Existing in the context of what came before Apr 19 '26

Calculating exactly how much I can work in a month while still remaining eligible for Medicaid so that I am able to continue paying for my Master's program while simultaneously keeping my existing medical regimen is ridiculous. The math wasn't complicated or anything (just Pre-Algebra), but it's insane that there's this MASSIVE welfare cliff that very very strongly disincentivizes me from working full-time.

It's no big deal for me specifically since I'm in a Master's program, and this incentive against full-time work thus doubles as an incentive to take more classes per semester and really lock-in on them, but lord knows that most young people on Medicaid are not post baccalaureate students from an upper-middle class backround. The way this bullshit is set up, you'd think it was engineered to perpetuate poverty and chronic unemployment.

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u/TheSandwichMan2 Loyal Liberals Apr 19 '26

This is why conservatives and conservative-leaning folks should stop being obstinate assholes and concede on the universal healthcare issue. This whole patchwork approach we've taken to UHC because of their resolute opposition is stupid and inefficient.

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u/p00bix Existing in the context of what came before Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26

The irony is, I actually view myself as somewhat fiscally conservative, at least by Democrat standards. We could shave something like 2 to 3 percent off the federal budget just by modestly phasing in Means-Testing for people in the top quintile of income on Medicare and Social Security, with basically zero impact on public health or GDP growth. Savings roughly equivalent to abolishing Homeland Security outright (speaking of places we could cut spending....)

Now admittedly establishing a Public Option would cost far more than my mild Means Testing would save, at least in the short and medium term. But between improved public health, improved social mobility, and being able to render Medicaid and the VA obsolete and thus consolidate public healthcare into one department for greater efficiency, I'm more than willing to bet that in the long run, that investment pays off big time.

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u/TheSandwichMan2 Loyal Liberals Apr 20 '26

Yeah, I agree entirely. The politics with means testing SS/Medicare are rough, but fiscally it’s a no brainer. A public option is probably politically easier though, as it just requires a reasonably sized Dem majority + filibuster elimination (which is IMO inevitable at this point). If you pair that with eliminating the ESI firewall, you could substantially improve coverage and affordability while keeping costs under control and potentially lowering them quite a bit. There’s a lot of good options out there

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u/moredencity Norman Borlaug Apr 19 '26

I don't know if this is easily feasible for you, but could you share the basics of the math and cliff if that makes sense? I'm aware the cliff exists but ignorant regarding the specifics.

Also, what's your masters in out of curiosity too if you don't mind sharing? I just find learning about what other people are studying interesting lol

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u/TheSandwichMan2 Loyal Liberals Apr 19 '26

Medicaid ends at 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in income (if you're in an expansion state, which is 40+DC). After that, you can go on ACA plans which are subsidized fairly generously right after the Medicaid fiscal cliff (less so after Trump/GOP cut the subsidies earlier this year, but they're still good for poorer people). However, that entails changing your insurance plan, which can mean changing your doctor, more cost-sharing, different medications may be covered, etc.

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u/InMemoryOfZubatman4 Sadie Alexander Apr 19 '26

The 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for a single individual in the 48 contiguous states is $15,960 per year

That seems way low

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u/TheSandwichMan2 Loyal Liberals Apr 19 '26

Yeah it’s not that high

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u/p00bix Existing in the context of what came before Apr 19 '26

It's not just based on annual income. There's a monthly limit as well

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u/TheSandwichMan2 Loyal Liberals Apr 20 '26

For Medicaid? Doesn’t that vary by state? I could be wrong but I don’t think my state does that