Mandi Spishak-Thomas
@aspishakthomas.com
Research professor @ Rutgers studying Medicaid. Social worker and health policy wonk. Union organizer (AAUP-AFT) and member of Brooklyn CB6. Baseball #LFGM and WNBA🗽enthusiast. Free 🇵🇸. ACAB. Still 😷. she/her.
aspishakthomas.com
aspishakthomas.com
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Mandi Spishak-Thomas
@aspishakthomas.com
· Jul 29
The Medicaid Rule That Can Put Your Family Home at Risk
A home can be exempt when you qualify for Medicaid yet face estate recovery later. Here’s what homeowners and heirs should know.
www.realtor.com
Thrilled to see my work on Medicaid estate recovery highlighted so comprehensively in this excellent piece by Allaire Conte at Realtor [dot] com.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
@pamherd.bsky.social on @npr.org this weekend on how new Medicaid work requirements will affect people with disabilities ⬇️
"When we've designed public programs in ways that people can't figure out whether they're eligible without consulting lawyers, we've done something wrong," Herd said. "That has huge, huge implications for what's to come."
A cancer survivor hoped to work — then she lost her Medicaid disability coverage
As state governments grapple with how to determine who's sick enough to be excused from new Medicaid work requirements, some families are already struggling with what illnesses guarantee health covera...
www.npr.org
September 13, 2026 at 1:57 PM
@pamherd.bsky.social on @npr.org this weekend on how new Medicaid work requirements will affect people with disabilities ⬇️
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
The first time I was pulled out of line at the airport for "special screening" was 1 month after 9.11 when I was flying from Chicago to NY. That experience would become a regular occurrence for the next 15 years.
September 11, 2026 at 3:03 PM
The first time I was pulled out of line at the airport for "special screening" was 1 month after 9.11 when I was flying from Chicago to NY. That experience would become a regular occurrence for the next 15 years.
Presenting my work on Medicaid estate recovery at the @advancingstates.bsky.social #HCBSconference this morning alongside colleagues at the Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab and @justiceinaging.org, come see us to learn more!
August 26, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Presenting my work on Medicaid estate recovery at the @advancingstates.bsky.social #HCBSconference this morning alongside colleagues at the Aging & Disability Health Policy Lab and @justiceinaging.org, come see us to learn more!
As chair of the @bkcb6.bsky.social Business Affairs and Licenses committee, we have been pushing for year-round outdoor dining for years. When it went away, so did mass support for our favorite bars and restaurants. I’m thrilled and cannot wait to be having a cozy dinner outside in December!
Outdoor dining is coming back year round. Thanks @cmrestler.bsky.social, @cmshahanahanif.bsky.social, CM Aviles & BP Reynoso.
CB6 Business Affairs, chaired by @aspishakthomas.com, backed it. So did Transportation, chaired by @brooklynspoke.bsky.social & @tonymelone.bsky.social, & our Full Board.
CB6 Business Affairs, chaired by @aspishakthomas.com, backed it. So did Transportation, chaired by @brooklynspoke.bsky.social & @tonymelone.bsky.social, & our Full Board.
August 14, 2026 at 6:54 AM
As chair of the @bkcb6.bsky.social Business Affairs and Licenses committee, we have been pushing for year-round outdoor dining for years. When it went away, so did mass support for our favorite bars and restaurants. I’m thrilled and cannot wait to be having a cozy dinner outside in December!
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
from the brilliant @derecka.bsky.social
"The very movements producing [radical] rhetoric, from abolition to Free Palestine, also produced the possibilities of [DSA's] election [win]s. Downplaying those movements puts organizers who continue this work at risk, especially right now."
"The very movements producing [radical] rhetoric, from abolition to Free Palestine, also produced the possibilities of [DSA's] election [win]s. Downplaying those movements puts organizers who continue this work at risk, especially right now."
AOC and Mamdani wanted to defund the police. Their backtracking puts organizers at risk | Derecka Purnell
Progressive and democratic socialist politicians are recanting pandemic-era statements on police and prison abolition
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2026 at 2:32 PM
from the brilliant @derecka.bsky.social
"The very movements producing [radical] rhetoric, from abolition to Free Palestine, also produced the possibilities of [DSA's] election [win]s. Downplaying those movements puts organizers who continue this work at risk, especially right now."
"The very movements producing [radical] rhetoric, from abolition to Free Palestine, also produced the possibilities of [DSA's] election [win]s. Downplaying those movements puts organizers who continue this work at risk, especially right now."
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
I spoke to the mutual aid groups and mask blocs combatting the spread of COVID and viral illness by freely distributing masks and tests and lending out air purifiers — who nationally have now distributed thousands of masks for wildfire smoke, too, amid an anti-public health admin @us.theguardian.com
How clean air clubs are protecting Americans from wildfire smoke
Mutual aid groups that started giving out PPEs during COVID are now loaning air purifiers and distributing masks to fume-addled communities
www.theguardian.com
August 9, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I spoke to the mutual aid groups and mask blocs combatting the spread of COVID and viral illness by freely distributing masks and tests and lending out air purifiers — who nationally have now distributed thousands of masks for wildfire smoke, too, amid an anti-public health admin @us.theguardian.com
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
Every single Republican and gender critical person, including JK Rowling, supports this happening to you. They brag about building a future in which this type of humilating incident is common.
Minnesota teen says server forced her to prove her gender in restaurant bathroom
The 18-year-old high school student alleged the server would not let her exit the Buffalo Wild Wings restroom until she unzipped her hoodie and showed she had breasts.
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-...
The 18-year-old high school student alleged the server would not let her exit the Buffalo Wild Wings restroom until she unzipped her hoodie and showed she had breasts.
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-...
Minnesota teen says server forced her to prove her gender in restaurant bathroom
The 18-year-old high school student alleged the server would not let her exit the Buffalo Wild Wings restroom until she unzipped her hoodie and showed she had breasts.
www.nbcnews.com
August 6, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Every single Republican and gender critical person, including JK Rowling, supports this happening to you. They brag about building a future in which this type of humilating incident is common.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
This week's #WednesdayWisdom comes from CSHP & @rutgersifh.bsky.social Assistant Research Professor @aspishakthomas.com.
She recently spoke with Realtor.com about her #research into the practice of #Medicaid estate recovery: go.rutgers.edu/ng9fo9re
She recently spoke with Realtor.com about her #research into the practice of #Medicaid estate recovery: go.rutgers.edu/ng9fo9re
August 5, 2026 at 12:26 PM
This week's #WednesdayWisdom comes from CSHP & @rutgersifh.bsky.social Assistant Research Professor @aspishakthomas.com.
She recently spoke with Realtor.com about her #research into the practice of #Medicaid estate recovery: go.rutgers.edu/ng9fo9re
She recently spoke with Realtor.com about her #research into the practice of #Medicaid estate recovery: go.rutgers.edu/ng9fo9re
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
Back on here to thank @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social "It’s as if we launched a war against nature, and that has turned place after place into something that resembles a war zone. The climate movement is a peace movement, a movement to end this war and its casualties." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We launched a war on nature. Now we are in a climate warzone | Rebecca Solnit
Summer is not what it once was. We have been robbed of one of life’s great joys
www.theguardian.com
August 4, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Back on here to thank @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social "It’s as if we launched a war against nature, and that has turned place after place into something that resembles a war zone. The climate movement is a peace movement, a movement to end this war and its casualties." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thrilled to see my work on Medicaid estate recovery highlighted so comprehensively in this excellent piece by Allaire Conte at Realtor [dot] com.
The Medicaid Rule That Can Put Your Family Home at Risk
A home can be exempt when you qualify for Medicaid yet face estate recovery later. Here’s what homeowners and heirs should know.
www.realtor.com
July 29, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Thrilled to see my work on Medicaid estate recovery highlighted so comprehensively in this excellent piece by Allaire Conte at Realtor [dot] com.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
Marvin's family has now created a GofundMe to help with funeral expenses and to support Natasha and the kids in the difficult days ahead.
If you're able to contribute or share the fundraiser, I'd be deeply grateful.
If you're able to contribute or share the fundraiser, I'd be deeply grateful.
July 21, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Marvin's family has now created a GofundMe to help with funeral expenses and to support Natasha and the kids in the difficult days ahead.
If you're able to contribute or share the fundraiser, I'd be deeply grateful.
If you're able to contribute or share the fundraiser, I'd be deeply grateful.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
I'm heartbroken to share that Marvin (known to readers of There Is No Place for Us as Maurice) died earlier today in a workplace accident. He was 43.
Natasha (Natalia in the book) asked me to share this news because she is too devastated to do so herself. We are all in shock.
Natasha (Natalia in the book) asked me to share this news because she is too devastated to do so herself. We are all in shock.
July 21, 2026 at 2:28 AM
I'm heartbroken to share that Marvin (known to readers of There Is No Place for Us as Maurice) died earlier today in a workplace accident. He was 43.
Natasha (Natalia in the book) asked me to share this news because she is too devastated to do so herself. We are all in shock.
Natasha (Natalia in the book) asked me to share this news because she is too devastated to do so herself. We are all in shock.
Ah yes, the free market is going so well for our health "care" industry...patients just need to "discover more affordable care". Economists being economists again at the NYT 🙄
Opinion | Capping the Price of Health Care Is a Mistake
A government bureaucrat doesn’t know how much your medicine or doctor’s visit should cost.
www.nytimes.com
July 20, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Ah yes, the free market is going so well for our health "care" industry...patients just need to "discover more affordable care". Economists being economists again at the NYT 🙄
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
People who do seasonal work — like farmworkers — are at elevated risk of coverage loss from Medicaid work requirements.
It's much harder to automate compliance determinations for seasonal work. While there are policy accommodations, documentation burdens will be worse for seasonal workers.
It's much harder to automate compliance determinations for seasonal work. While there are policy accommodations, documentation burdens will be worse for seasonal workers.
They Harvest the Nation’s Food, but a New Rule May Strip Them of Health Insurance - KFF Health News
New Medicaid work requirements could make a complex system even harder for farmworkers to navigate.
kffhealthnews.org
July 10, 2026 at 2:11 PM
People who do seasonal work — like farmworkers — are at elevated risk of coverage loss from Medicaid work requirements.
It's much harder to automate compliance determinations for seasonal work. While there are policy accommodations, documentation burdens will be worse for seasonal workers.
It's much harder to automate compliance determinations for seasonal work. While there are policy accommodations, documentation burdens will be worse for seasonal workers.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
Bosses have desired ways to cut labor costs since time immemorial.
Artificial-intelligence hype provides a powerful new excuse to replace stable employment with gig work.
Artificial-intelligence hype provides a powerful new excuse to replace stable employment with gig work.
AI Is Contributing to the Gigification of Work
Bosses have desired ways to cut labor costs since time immemorial. Artificial-intelligence hype provides a powerful new excuse to replace stable employment with gig work.
jacobin.com
July 10, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Bosses have desired ways to cut labor costs since time immemorial.
Artificial-intelligence hype provides a powerful new excuse to replace stable employment with gig work.
Artificial-intelligence hype provides a powerful new excuse to replace stable employment with gig work.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
Today we’re sharing an additional #FindingsFriday insight from a research study led by CSHP Assistant Research Professor @aspishakthomas.com.
She examined the impact of Medicaid #estaterecovery on homeownership decisions, home equity, and #Medicaid enrollment: go.rutgers.edu/pzhz4f05
She examined the impact of Medicaid #estaterecovery on homeownership decisions, home equity, and #Medicaid enrollment: go.rutgers.edu/pzhz4f05
July 10, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Today we’re sharing an additional #FindingsFriday insight from a research study led by CSHP Assistant Research Professor @aspishakthomas.com.
She examined the impact of Medicaid #estaterecovery on homeownership decisions, home equity, and #Medicaid enrollment: go.rutgers.edu/pzhz4f05
She examined the impact of Medicaid #estaterecovery on homeownership decisions, home equity, and #Medicaid enrollment: go.rutgers.edu/pzhz4f05
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
The Left(s) should get onboard with a massive expansion of public libraries across the country over the next 25 years. This is an affirmative project.
July 4, 2026 at 1:12 AM
The Left(s) should get onboard with a massive expansion of public libraries across the country over the next 25 years. This is an affirmative project.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
The air conditioning at the Delaney Hall concentration camp failed today, so now people are roasting inside as temperatures rise above 100 degrees. It's so hot they can't breathe.
Air conditioning fails at Delaney Hall as heat wave leaves detainees struggling to breathe • The Jersey Vindicator
Advocates say temperatures became unbearable inside one housing unit as the region's heat wave intensified.
jerseyvindicator.org
July 2, 2026 at 10:53 PM
The air conditioning at the Delaney Hall concentration camp failed today, so now people are roasting inside as temperatures rise above 100 degrees. It's so hot they can't breathe.
Call NJ reps and demand our neighbors be released.
Sen Cory Booker: 202-224-3224 NJ office: 973-639-8700
Sen Andy Kim: 202-224-4744
NJ office: 609-259-2450
Rep McIver: 973-645-3213
Rep Menendez: 201-239-8892
Rep Mejia: 973-526-5668
Rep Pou: 973-523-5152
Rep Watson Coleman: 609-883-0026
Sen Cory Booker: 202-224-3224 NJ office: 973-639-8700
Sen Andy Kim: 202-224-4744
NJ office: 609-259-2450
Rep McIver: 973-645-3213
Rep Menendez: 201-239-8892
Rep Mejia: 973-526-5668
Rep Pou: 973-523-5152
Rep Watson Coleman: 609-883-0026
Detainees at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in New Jersey are going without air conditioning during an extreme heat wave.
Families say the AC is off in one of the housing units, potentially leaving hundreds of people trapped in sweltering heat over 100 degrees.
www.nj.com/politics/202...
Families say the AC is off in one of the housing units, potentially leaving hundreds of people trapped in sweltering heat over 100 degrees.
www.nj.com/politics/202...
Delaney Hall’s air conditioning goes out during N.J.’s worst heat wave in 15 years
Air conditioning failed at Delaney Hall during a major heat wave, prompting concerns for detainees as advocates cite ongoing complaints and inspection disputes.
www.nj.com
July 3, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Call NJ reps and demand our neighbors be released.
Sen Cory Booker: 202-224-3224 NJ office: 973-639-8700
Sen Andy Kim: 202-224-4744
NJ office: 609-259-2450
Rep McIver: 973-645-3213
Rep Menendez: 201-239-8892
Rep Mejia: 973-526-5668
Rep Pou: 973-523-5152
Rep Watson Coleman: 609-883-0026
Sen Cory Booker: 202-224-3224 NJ office: 973-639-8700
Sen Andy Kim: 202-224-4744
NJ office: 609-259-2450
Rep McIver: 973-645-3213
Rep Menendez: 201-239-8892
Rep Mejia: 973-526-5668
Rep Pou: 973-523-5152
Rep Watson Coleman: 609-883-0026
It's July 1st and at least 450,000 New Yorkers are estimated to lose their health care coverage. This is just the start of the mass uninsuring of low- and middle-income people in the U.S. due to federal cuts and exacerbated by states refusal to take action in tangible ways (e.g., tax the rich).
July 1, 2026 at 4:04 PM
It's July 1st and at least 450,000 New Yorkers are estimated to lose their health care coverage. This is just the start of the mass uninsuring of low- and middle-income people in the U.S. due to federal cuts and exacerbated by states refusal to take action in tangible ways (e.g., tax the rich).
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
The trans sports ban are almost completely an invention of the media, conservative and mainstream. it has been years of lies, of shoddy fact checking on just completely false conservative claims, years of phony concern trolling.
June 30, 2026 at 3:47 PM
The trans sports ban are almost completely an invention of the media, conservative and mainstream. it has been years of lies, of shoddy fact checking on just completely false conservative claims, years of phony concern trolling.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
I hope you sick fucks are happy, because I just ran into soon-to-be former Congressman Dan Goldman and he is crying like a little girl.
June 24, 2026 at 1:15 AM
I hope you sick fucks are happy, because I just ran into soon-to-be former Congressman Dan Goldman and he is crying like a little girl.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
The contamination and pollution from the fire in Boyle Heights is much, much worse than Los Angeles political leaders are admitting to. This is a huge scandal. So many people are getting genuinely sick.
June 21, 2026 at 8:16 PM
The contamination and pollution from the fire in Boyle Heights is much, much worse than Los Angeles political leaders are admitting to. This is a huge scandal. So many people are getting genuinely sick.
Reposted by Mandi Spishak-Thomas
“Nearly half of U.S. counties lack a practicing obstetrician or gynecologist. Rural hospitals have steadily closed labor and delivery units, citing financial losses, staffing shortages, and the high cost of malpractice insurance.”
Maternity deserts aren’t accidents. They’re the result of a design flaw
Shrinking fertility should mean less strain on doctors. But nearly half of U.S. counties lack a practicing obstetrician or gynecologist.
www.statnews.com
June 20, 2026 at 2:58 PM
“Nearly half of U.S. counties lack a practicing obstetrician or gynecologist. Rural hospitals have steadily closed labor and delivery units, citing financial losses, staffing shortages, and the high cost of malpractice insurance.”