Estate Planning Interviews
KRON4 News Features Estate Planning Expert Kirsten Howe on Potential Medi-Cal Cuts
Potential Federal Funding Cuts to Medi-Cal Could Leave Seniors Without Care or Even a Home
“Saving as much as you can, downsizing, you know, minimizing whatever you need to do. But I mean, these benefits are often for someone in a skilled nursing facility, and that’s where they live. And that’s where they get their medical care.”
— Kirsten Howe
In early 2025, concerns grew about potential cuts to Medicare and Medi-Cal funding that could impact over 70 million Americans nationwide. With skilled nursing facility costs averaging $12,775 per month in the San Francisco Bay Area and in-home care reaching $30,576 monthly, these cuts could devastate elderly Californians who depend on these vital services for their basic care needs.
KRON4 News recognized the importance of this critical consumer issue and invited Absolute Trust Counsel’s founder and Managing Attorney, Kirsten Howe, to provide expert insight during their 6:00 PM news segment on April 4, 2025. Kirsten helped connect the station with Matthew Labinsky, a local senior who benefits from Medi-Cal, to share a first-hand perspective on how these services allow seniors to remain in their homes rather than costlier nursing facilities.
As Kirsten emphasized in the interview, these are essential services that few families can afford long-term without assistance. Her 26+ years of experience helping elderly clients navigate complex healthcare systems gives her unique insight into how Medi-Cal’s intervention allows seniors to preserve both their dignity and their family’s financial security. Without proper funding protection, vulnerable seniors face a potentially devastating impact on their quality of life and living situations.
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Greg O’Donnell Financial Hour, Money Matters Features Estate Planning Expert Kirsten Howe
Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Quick Succession of Death and How to Protect Your Family’s Future
“There is always legal work to be done when someone dies, it’s just a question of how much.”
— Kirsten Howe
In late December 2016, the world was rocked by the deaths of Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds, only a day apart. It’s unfortunate that the deaths of celebrities really set the stage for such topics of discussion, but they do bring up unique perspectives regarding large amounts of wealth, lack of planning and the circumstances of death – like Carrie and Debbie in such quick succession.
Greg O’Donnell, founder and CEO of O’Donnell Financial Group, and the host of the weekly talk radio show Money Matters on KSFO/KGO recognized the importance in the unique passing of these Hollywood icons and looked to Kirsten for her quick, practical and deep knowledge of trusts and estates.
As Kirsten mentioned on the show there is always legal work to be done when someone passes, its just a matter of how much. Without proper planning your family faces a long, expensive and emotional road ahead. An initial investment in the right counsel can save your family from that cumbersome journey keeping the perpetuation of your wealth all in the family.