Morality,patrimony,public assistance

[uncle_bob]

Please excuse my lack of knowledge about the Religious life.
Is this morally O.K.?: A Sister gives up all assets, joins a convent, then applies for public assistance. The funds she had are now called Patrimony, I believe, and are not accessible to her.
So, she seems to be eligible for assistance, such as Medicaid, due to low assets.
It would seem to be reasonable to say she should be completely supported by the Religious Order.
Is this a sensible conclusion?

 

[a_cermak]

It would depend on the order. Some are really, really poor, and if a sister should get ill or have an emergency, it could bankrupt the convent. So I could see why a convent may sign up its sisters for Medicaid.

I had an operation a couple months back that resulted in me being in the ICU for a day–$30,000.00! Just imagine a convent trying to raise that amount. Then think about even more expensive surgeries or healthcare emergencies.

 

[uncle_bob]

Thanks for your reply.
I would think the convent can purchase blue cross health insurance, etc.
But, practicalities aside, is it morally O.K. to give assets to the convent and receive Medicaid, or other assistance?

 

[a_cermak]

Thanks for your reply.
I would think the convent can purchase blue cross health insurance, etc.
But, practicalities aside, is it morally O.K. to give assets to the convent and receive Medicaid, or other assistance?

Blue Cross/Blue Shield is quite expensive when purchased on a small plan basis. Now if all the convents were to join in a common pool, it might not be so bad, but there are administrative costs to that too. The women take a vow of poverty so they are poor and as such qualify for Medicaid and other assistance. The other assistance I would have more of a problem with, but the Medicaid seems OK as it provides healthcare and would even if the women were not in a convent but were simply not making enough to get out of poverty.