California has moved one step closer in treating same-sex couples and Registered Domestic Partners (“RDP’s”) the same as married couples in the context of Medi-Cal eligibility. The Medi-Cal Eligibility Division recently released a draft of instructions to California counties on how to implement legislation signed last year by Gov. Brown (AB 641, Feuer). This legislation proposes new rules allowing same-sex couples and RDP’s to retain assets and incomes similar to that allowed opposite sex spouses when one of them enters a long-term care facility and applies for Medi-Cal. The instruction is presently in draft form, but we anticipate that it will soon be finalized and disseminated to county welfare directors for implementation. The authorizing legislation was written to take effect retroactively back to January 1, 2012, subject to confirmation from the federal government that it will provide federal matching funds. We will post more information when the same is available. Thanks to California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform for bringing this ot our attention.