Creation of Bipartisan Caucus in the U.S. House to Address Long-Term Health Care

The realities of an aging America and long-term health care will be the focus of a new bipartisan U.S. House caucus. The availability of quality long-term care services will be in demand by more American families in the years to come. The bipartisan 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus will address these concerns as the consequences of longevity affect American families and finances. 

Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Bryan Steil (R-WI) announced the creation of the caucus. The caucus will bring together members from both parties to identify and address long-term health care in the United States and implement solutions to ensure care recipients and their families have the support they need.

Finding and Implementing Solutions 

Rep. Kuster says they will work to identify and implement solutions. The Congresswoman cited her firsthand experience being a caregiver for her mother, who had Alzheimer's, as a reason to focus attention on long-term health care.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated and pulled back the curtain on existing challenges, and now we have an opportunity to make meaningful changes to strengthen our nation's long-term care workforce, enhance the quality of care, and encourage new and innovative care options. In my personal experience caring for my mother as she struggled with Alzheimer's and as a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, I have seen how the challenges of aging and caring for older adults are particularly difficult, and I look forward to working across the aisle to lift up this critical issue.

Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH)

Quality Care is Essential

Rep. Steil said he was proud to join Congresswoman Kuster in launching this caucus whose goal is to find solutions that can be implemented to ensure seniors have the support and resources they need as their health declines as they age.

The 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus is focused on ensuring our seniors are receiving the best care in our long-term care facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has shined an important light on the challenges our long-term care facilities are facing. Our seniors and veterans deserve the best quality of care possible. I look forward to identifying policy solutions we can implement to ensure our seniors have the support and resources they need.

Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI)

In a statement, Rep. Kuster said that the 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus is a solution-focused coalition of members working to put partisan politics aside to deliver real solutions for our nation's long-term care providers and patients. The caucus will host regular meetings with members and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and advance legislation to make a real difference for communities. 

Aging and Declining Health Result in Many Needing Long-Term Care

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that about half of all people who reach age 65 will need long-term health care. Many families are in crisis when mom or dad needs long-term health care.

Many people are unaware that health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, was never designed to pay for long-term health care, most of which is custodial - meaning help with daily living activities or supervision due to memory decline. Adult children, usually a daughter or daughter-in-law, become the default caregiver. 

Medicare (along with traditional health insurance) will pay for a limited of days of skilled nursing home and rehabilitative care. However, while nursing home costs are skyrocketing, Medicare may limit the amount they pay in the future.

An Unstoppable Tidal Wave

Many experts think that the consequences of long-term health care must be addressed. Long-term health care's impact on both the public and private sectors is too huge to ignore and too big a problem for government to handle without additional taxes or tax incentives to encourage private sector solutions.

Mark Goldberg, principal at Future Planning Specialist (FPS), a national insurance agency focusing on long-term health care solutions, says an unstoppable tidal wave is headed our way.

It's good that the House recognizes the importance of focusing on aging issues. In the end, I believe this will be too large a problem for them to deal with, and they will look to tax or incentivize the aging population to transfer the risk to the private sector. An unstoppable tidal wave is coming, and it can't be stopped. All we can do is have the foresight to prepare.

Mark Goldberg

Inflation, High Labor Costs & Increasing Demand Skyrocketing Care Costs

All types of long-term care services are increasing in costs. Be it in-home care providers, adult day care centers, assisted living and memory care facilities, and nursing homes, these providers are increasing their costs due to higher demand for care, inflation, and higher labor costs.

In a statement, Matt McCann, a leading expert on long-term care planning, said the consequences of long-term care often get placed on the family caregivers.

These family caregivers are unpaid, untrained, and unprepared for the demanding role. It is physically and emotionally challenging to help anyone, much less a loved one, with personal hygiene and other personal care. It's also hard for most people to balance their careers, families, and caregiving. Too many are unaware that planning options are available and programs like the Long-Term Care Partnership Program are available.

Matt McCann

Medicaid will pay for long-term care services but only for those with little or no income and assets. Long-Term Care Insurance is available, with most states participating in the partnership program, but few people, including financial advisors and insurance agents, are aware of the benefits and tax incentives that are available.

States Taxing People Who Do Not Own LTC Insurance?

State budgets are being crushed as more people end up qualifying for Medicaid's long-term care benefits after spending hard-earned savings to pay for care out-of-pocket. This has forced some states to consider taxing those who do not own Long-Term Care Insurance to raise additional revenue to pay for Medicaid's long-term care benefits.

The State of Washington has done this and several other states, including California and New York, are on the way to their long-term care tax, getting many people's attention to purchasing private Long-Term Care Insurance to protect their savings and avoid the tax.

McCann said there is a role for government on all levels to ensure quality care options for everyone. He said that if more people own private Long-Term Care Insurance, the pressure on Medicaid budgets will ease, allowing for more resources to provide quality care and pay caregivers better wages on all levels.

Instead of the government being punitive, I would prefer the government to provide incentives for people to prepare for the costs of long-term care services. Tax incentives, expansion of health savings accounts, and better promotion of the partnership program are all common sense things Congress can do to help American families address the consequences of aging.

Matt McCann

Billions Being Paid from LTC Insurance Policies

Those who buy Long-Term Care Insurance are seeing results. In 2021, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance said the top insurance companies paid over $12.3 Billion in LTC Insurance benefits to American families. Much of those benefits paid for in-home care services allowing people to remain in their homes.

Most people who purchase LTC Insurance do so in their 50s to take advantage of their better health, more options, and lower premiums. Long-Term Care Insurance specialists can help match an individual's age, health, and family history to find the best coverage at the lowest cost.

Many assume Long-Term Care Insurance is expensive; however, policies are affordable and custom-designed - How Much Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cost? | LTC News.

With both consumers and the government being proactive, more will access quality care options, protect savings, and ease the stress and anxiety placed on family members.