Baucus Includes LTC in Health Reform Proposal

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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