Washington, DC – Citing their support of protecting consumers who take proactive steps to ensure their long term care needs, the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) praised Senator Herb Kohl’s (D-WI) newly introduced legislation, the Confidence in Long-Term Care Insurance Act of 2009 (S. 1177), stating that the bill encourages Americans to take personal responsibility for planning for the future by protecting those who invest in long term care policies.
“The purchase of long term care insurance is among the most important actions one can take in their thirties, forties and fifties to avoid impoverishing themselves in order to qualify for Medicaid in later years,” stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “We applaud Senator Kohl for this legislation, which reassures a growing number of Americans who want to prepare for their future care needs with long term care insurance.”
The Confidence in Long-Term Care Insurance Act of 2009 creates marketing and disclosure requirements for long tem care insurance carriers and policies and requires a standardized methodology for issuers to use to calculate inflation protection. These protections, Yarwood stated, ensure that consumers can accurately compare policies and take personal responsibility to plan for their future care needs.
“The 77 million Baby Boomers who are nearing age sixty-five deserve the high level of care and services provided in today’s nursing facilities and assisted living communities,” Yarwood continued. “Senator Kohl’s bill gives consumers the faith that the long term care insurance they invest in today will be there for them when they really need it.”
“All stakeholders – providers, policymakers and the public – must work together to strengthen our nation’s long term and post-acute care delivery system. In so doing, we can continue to improve the quality of care and quality of life for the millions of patients and families who rely upon us every day for the long term care and services they require."
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.