One big state is taxing the middle-class nationwide to give the wealthy free healthcare

California is taxing the middle-class nationwide to give the wealthy free healthcare. Asset-rich residents get to stick the bill for nursing home stays on other Americans.

Despite these readily available alternatives, California requested, and has now been authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to dissolve Medicaid’s eligibility and asset verification requirements — effectively expanding the program to include even those who are well-off financially. Silicon Valley billionaires, rejoice!   Paul Mango was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 2019-2021, serving as Secretary Alex Azar’s formal liaison to Operation Warp Speed where he was involved in nearly all strategic, operational, and financial aspects of the program, and facilitated its day-to-day activities among the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, and the White House. His forthcoming book is "Warp Speed: Inside the Operation That Beat COVID, the Critics, and the Odds" (Republic Book Publishers, March 15, 2022).

Given this administration’s propensity to do the same with other such initiatives, the recent action in California should not be surprising. Biden delivered student loan forgiveness for couples earning up to $250,000 per year, supplemental Covid-related ACA subsidies lasting through 2025 for families earning up to $400,000 per year, and $7,500 subsidies regardless of income for those purchasing electric vehicles that only the wealthy can afford. Yet, each of these contradicts the moral underpinning of Robin Hood’s intent.