Volume 37 Issue 2

Representative Jan Schakowsky on Fighting for Fairness and Ending Medicaid Estate Recovery

By  Mary Lynn J. Rynkiewicz
NAELA News recently talked with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) about the issue of Medicaid Estate Recovery (MER). In the 118th Congress, Schakowsky introduced the Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act, which seeks to end MER.

A New Right to Appeal “Observation Status” in Medicare

By  Alice Bers, J.D.
After over a decade of litigation, a court finally held that HHS violates the Fifth Amendment due process rights of beneficiaries when it prohibits appeals by patients who are admitted as inpatients but then reclassified to observation status.

Generative AI in Elder Law Practice: A Practical Guide

By  Alexander Paykin, Esq.
The future belongs not to those who blindly embrace or reject AI, but to those who learn to work alongside it effectively.

Community Property Basics for Separate Property Lawyers

By  Letha Sgritta McDowell, CELA, CAP, Fellow, and Vanessa L. Kanaga, Esq.
If community property is not the law in the state where an attorney practices, why would community property laws affect a client’s estate plan?

MassNAELA’s Legislative Triumphs: A Look at Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024

By  Laura Silver Traiger, Esq., and Mary Paier Powers, Esq.
This landmark legislation represents a transformative moment for elder law in Massachusetts, and its success offers a framework for other state chapters.

Effectively Representing LGBTQ+ Clients: Stories of LGBTQ+ Aging

By  Mark T. Johnson, CELA, CAP
LGBTQ+ clients may face additional challenges related to family estrangement, medical care, and discrimination. The following stories highlight some issues and solutions.

Becoming a Certified Elder Law Attorney: A Challenge Worth Accepting

By  Justin S. Elrod, CELA
For elder law attorneys looking to distinguish themselves in a growing and competitive field, there has never been a better time to become a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). Don’t let outdated misconceptions about the exam hold you back.

President’s Message: The Essence of NAELA — Advocacy in Action!

By  Judith M. Flynn, CELA, Fellow
I’ve never been prouder to be a NAELA member. During these times of uncertainty — and, dare I say, chaos — I find comfort in my NAELA community, both nationally and at the local level.

Apr/May/Jun 2025

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