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Baucus Includes LTC in Health Reform Proposal |
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Baucus
Includes LTC in Health Reform Proposal
Senator
Max Baucus (D-Montana), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has issued an 89
page white paper on health care reform. Sen. Baucus noted that 9.4 million
adults and 1.1 million children are in need of long-term care services, most of
which are provided by more than 50 million informal caregivers. He also stated
that although the federal government fully funds Medicare and substantially funds
Medicaid, there is poor coordination of benefits between the programs. While
noting the reforms recently implemented by Congress to shift from institutional
care to home and community based services (HCBS) he believes more can be done,
especially in early intervention to prevent the progression of disability and
allow people to remain in their own homes. He recognizes the need for some
facility-based care, and would pilot new models of institutional care, such as
the Green House model. Baucus’ plan would also emphasize the need to recruit,
train and maintain a robust workforce, and mentions that offering training to
the more than 900,000 adults participating in the Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) might be a place to start. In order to help finance some
of this reform, he suggests exploring policies that would make long term care
insurance more accessible and affordable. A summary of Baucus' white paper with
a link to download the 89 page document is available at Baucus Plan.
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