Physician and author Dr. Shirlene Obuobi has sounded an alarm on social media over the growing threat to Medicaid and Medicare, warning that proposed policy changes could destabilize the U.S. healthcare system and put millions of families at risk.
In a post shared on her Instagram account @shirlywhirlmd, Dr. Obuobi described what she sees as the dire consequences of weakening federal safety nets that currently fund nursing home care and hospital discharges.
“This administration is plowing a wrecking ball through necessary societal safety nets — and they can and will affect EVERYONE,” she wrote.
The Price of Long-Term Care
According to Dr. Obuobi, nursing home care costs average $10,000 a month, making them inaccessible without public assistance.
While Medicare typically covers short-term stays, Medicaid is often the only option for longer-term care. But patients must first “spend down” nearly all of their personal assets before qualifying.
“You sell everything in your life. You deplete your entire savings, your funds, until you have basically nothing, and then Medicaid kicks in,” she explained in an accompanying video.
This financial reality, she warned, forces families to make impossible decisions while straining already overburdened hospital systems.
The Ripple Effect on Hospitals
Dr. Obuobi explained that hospitals cannot ethically discharge patients unless they are placed in a safe environment. With nursing home placements harder to secure, patients may occupy hospital beds for weeks, worsening emergency room wait times and delaying treatment for others.
“We are going to be probably forced to do some pretty unethical, sad stuff because if we can’t find placement for somebody because they cannot afford a nursing home, where are we going to send them?” she asked.
Case managers and social workers, she added, are already stretched thin as hospital systems absorb the fallout from primary care clinic closures and inadequate resources for long-term care.
A Warning for All Generations
Dr. Obuobi cautioned that the issue is not confined to the elderly. Chronic illnesses, unexpected emergencies, or catastrophic medical events can quickly place anyone in need of long-term care.
“A heart attack that causes heart failure — it’ll take you there real quick,” she said, noting that even younger, working-age adults are vulnerable.
She also urged families to understand filial responsibility laws, which in some states can legally obligate adult children to financially support their aging parents.
A Call for Public Awareness
The physician encouraged followers to share their own experiences with nursing homes, caregiving, or Medicaid applications, highlighting how widespread and personal the issue is.
“Caregiving is a 24-hour job. It’s extremely difficult and it is not something everybody is able to do,” she stressed, pointing to the crucial role of Medicaid in filling the gap.
As policymakers continue to debate healthcare reforms, Dr. Obuobi’s post underscores the urgent need for public engagement in conversations about Medicaid, Medicare, and the future of elder care in America.
