Lynch v. Rank

OPINION AND ORDER

ORRICK, District Judge.

The Pickle Amendment to the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(note), was designed “to insure that an increase intended to benefit the aged and disabled would not have inadvertent harmful effects.” S.Rep. No. 94-1265, 94th Cong., 2d Sess. 28 (1976), reprinted in 1976 U.S.Code Cong. & Ad.News 5997, 6022. Congress intended the Amendment to nullify the detrimental effect of social security cost-of-living increases on certain recipients’ eligibility for Medicaid benefits; such increases raised the recipient’s countable income level beyond the qualifying…