Category: Estate Planning
Impact of Key Provisions of Congress’ Bill that Ended the Government Shutdown for Vulnerable Populations
November 21, 2025 | Cathryn Reher
Our Estate Planning Department works with persons with disabilities of all ages who are accessing government benefits to help pay for long-term services and supports. The government shutdown was very scary for those dependent on government benefits. Thankfully, the government shutdown has ended due to Congress passing a law signed November 12, 2025. Some of the provisions in this law will impact our most vulnerable populations. A few of the more important changes are discussed below. Medicare and Medicaid Payments Medicare and Medicaid usually keep running even during a shutdown. But a very long shutdown could have stopped payments to doctors or kept states from getting the money they need. This would have made it hard for people to get care. The reopening of the government avoids this. Health Insurance Costs May Go Up A special kind of discount called an enhanced premium tax credit that helped people pay for health insurance will end on December 31, 2025. Many people who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace may have to pay a lot more—especially people with middle incomes. Families with tight budgets may want to wait until closer to the deadline so they can compare plans and pick the best one. Congress could still bring back these discounts, but doing so now would be confusing because open…
Read MoreAnticipated Changes for Medical Assistance Recipients in 2026
September 9, 2025 | Cathryn Reher
President Trump signed the Federal Reconciliation Bill (H.R.1) on July 4, 2025. This will change Medical Assistance benefits for most Minnesota recipients. The changes are anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026 at the earliest. The State of Minnesota will need to pass legislation in the 2026 legislative session to remain eligible to receive federal funding for its Medical Assistance programs. After that, the Minnesota Department of Human Services will need to issue policies to implement the legislative changes. The Estate Planning Department at Barna, Guzy & Steffen represents Medical Assistance recipients and their families. BGS is focused on providing our clients and their families with as much time as possible to prepare for these changes. We are actively monitoring the potential impact of the changes to federal and state Medicaid laws and policies. It will be important to continue to track the anticipated changes through media sources, to follow up with your financial case worker and case managers, and to seek counsel as needed through this time of change. If you have questions regarding these upcoming changes the attorneys in our Estate Planning Department are here to assist you.
Read MoreWhy Every Minnesota Adult Needs a Health Care Directive
July 8, 2025 | Kate Frederickson
At Barna, Guzy & Steffen, our estate planning attorneys help people plan for a variety of future scenarios. And while many adults wait until later in life to complete their estate planning documents, there is at least one document that anyone over the age of 18 should have: a health care directive. What Is a Health Care Directive? A health care directive is a written document that can do two things: (1) appoint a health care agent to act on your behalf in the event of your incapacity; and (2) outline your wishes regarding your medical care and end-of-life wishes. A health care directive becomes effective upon your incapacity, or when you are unable to communicate your wishes due to illness, injury, or incapacity. Historically, an individual may have needed a living will and/or a variable healthcare power of attorney to articulate their wishes regarding medical care and life sustaining treatment. In Minnesota, now an individual only needs one document, a healthcare directive, to outline all of their wishes and instructions. Why Is It Important for Everyone Over 18? Putting your wishes in writing is the best way to help make sure your preferences are known and followed by family and friends. Many people assume health care directives are only for older adults…
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