Washington, DC – The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today commended Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) for introducing the Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act of 2009 (S.702), citing that the legislation takes the pressure off the current broken Medicaid system.
“With 77 million baby boomers rapidly approaching the age when many will require long term care, it is essential for Congress to pass laws enabling every citizen to equip themselves with the tools necessary to pay for and receive care in the most appropriate setting for their condition,” stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCAL. “We thank Senator Grassley for recognizing that the staggering costs of health care can quickly overwhelm one’s savings in a disastrous manner.”
The Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act of 2009 (S.702) amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. The bill will also provide additional consumer protections for long-term care insurance.
“This bill is an initial step towards boosting Americans’ ability to save for and ultimately fund the long term care services that best meets their needs,” stated Dave Kyllo Executive Director of NCAL. “The growing diversity of long term care settings is a welcome and necessary trend that better serves the needs and choices of aging Americans. Individuals who invest in long term care insurance are taking a proactive approach to ensure their choice of care and services in the years to come.”
The legislation, Yarwood noted, is in line with a comprehensive health care reform plan that AHCA/NCAL and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care have engaged Avalere Health to develop. “Our proposal addresses the need for change – both in the financing and delivery of long term and post-acute care,” Yarwood explained. “The proposal provides a single, unified method for maximizing individual preferences and program value, and would successfully take pressure of the Medicare and Medicaid systems.”
Medicaid, the long term care leader continued, is the single largest purchaser of nursing home and other long term care services. This fact is of great concern, as future growth could mean state Medicaid programs may not be able to meet the care needs of patients in the years ahead.
“All stakeholders – consumers, providers and policymakers – must work together now to ensure adequate resources are available for people to be cared for in the most clinically appropriate, high-quality setting now and in the years to come.” Yarwood concluded.
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) represent nearly 11,000 non-profit and proprietary facilities dedicated to continuous improvement in the delivery of professional and compassionate care provided daily by millions of caring employees to 1.5 million of our nation's frail, elderly and disabled citizens who live in nursing facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.